Holtz, Francis Benedict

Francis Benedict Holtz, 91, of Manchester, died at the Edgewood Convalescent Home on Friday, May 17, 2013.

Francis was born Nov. 15, 1921, in Littleport, Iowa, to Aloysius and Clara (Thillen) Holtz. He attended Littleport and Manchester rural schools. Francis was united in marriage to Wilma Venteicher on Jan. 4, 1944, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manchester. Three sons were born to this union. Together they farmed most of their married life north of Manchester. In 1983, they retired to Manchester and wintered several years in Arizona. They have resided in Edgewood the past two years at Lincolnwood Assisted Living Center and the Edgewood Convalescent Home.

Francis was a longtime member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He was also a member of Farm Bureau. Francis loved and enjoyed his family and grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing cards and going to the casino with Wilma.

Survivors include his wife, Wilma of Edgewood; three sons, James (Lois) Holtz of Manchester, John (Jan) Holtz of Edgewood and Donald (Cheryl) Holtz of Manchester; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and four siblings, Ed Holtz of Edgewood, Albert Holtz of Earlville, Marie Wulfekuhle of Edgewood and Alberta Ronnebaum of Earlville.

Francis was preceded in death by a sister, Theresa Demeter; and his parents.

Online condolences may be left with www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 20, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Manchester, by the Rev. Dennis Cain and the Rev. Stephen Lundgren. Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, with a 2 p.m. Scripture service, and also one hour before the service Monday at the church. Interment: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Manchester.

Published May 18, 2013 in The Gazette