Edwin Holthaus 1925-2018
Edwin J. Holthaus, 93, of Seneca, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, at Life Care Center of Seneca.
He was born on Aug. 17, 1925, on a farm southeast of Baileyville, to Francis and Rose Olberding Holthaus. He attended Baileyville School and worked on the family farm. He joined the Knights of Columbus 1769 Council of Seneca in 1945, before he was drafted into the U.S. Navy.
He served during World War II in the Pacific area, landing in Yokohama, and he then spent time on the Endicott No. 35 Destroyer Mine Sweeper, sweeping in the Yellow Sea and around Nagasaki and Kagoshima and even into Shanghai, China and Tokyo. He was discharged in 1946, and returned to the farm. In 1948, Ed began renting a farm southeast of Oneida for two years and when his brother got married, Ed moved home to the family farm.
On Jan. 7, 1958, he married Mary Ann Broxterman, the daughter of Fred and Clara Broxterman, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They initially lived on a farm southeast of Baileyville.
He farmed with his dad until 1966, when the couple purchased a farm one mile north and one mile west of Soldier, where they farmed and operated a dairy until 1987. They retired and moved to Seneca in 1993, building a new home on Castle Street. To this union four boys and two girls were born. They celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary before Mary Ann’s death on May 6, 2005.
Ed was a 4-H Dairy Leader. He served on the NFO Dairy Board, the Soldier Lions Club, the American Legion Post 37 of Corning and St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. After moving to Seneca, he joined Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca, St Joseph’s Society, served as a eucharist minister, a lector and an usher for funerals. He transferred his membership to the Seneca Lions Club and the American Legion.
He was a faithful Knights of Columbus member working dances and Bingo. He was a member of the Ponce De Leon 4th Degree. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards and woodworking. He did his woodworking in his basement, making shelves, welcome signs and miscellaneous items for his children and grandchildren.
Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Heather Schmitz Holthaus, on Nov. 2, 1984; and two sisters, Sr. Sharon (Virginia) Holthaus, OSB, and Rita Strathman.
He is survived by four sons, Gary (Lori) Holthaus of Topeka, Richard (Kim) Holthaus of Topeka, Bob (Serina) Holthaus of Las Vegas, Nev., and Tom (Jen) Holthaus of Hoyt; two daughters, Joann (Don) Brees of Holton and Brenda (Buddy) Haug of Virginia Beach, Va.; two brothers, George and Leo Holthaus; one sister, Vivina Strathman; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Rosaries will be prayed on Friday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Lauer Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Burial will be held in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be left to the Seneca Knights of Columbus Building Fund and the Seneca Veterans’ Wall.
To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
