Holton, I.J.

I.J. Holton

I.J. Holton, 92, died at his home in Austin, Minn., on April, 11, 2012. Friends may greet the family in the banquet area of the Hormel Historic Home, Austin, on Sunday, April 15, starting at 1:30 p.m. At 2:30 there will be a time of memories of Jim's life led by Father Paul Nelson and Mike Ruzek. A reception will follow.

He was born Aug. 16, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Ed Bacon and Mabel Barrows (Donnan) Holton. He was married to Adelaide Holton on June 23, 1941, in Cedar Rapids. Educated in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, he later was awarded degrees in liberal arts (1941) and law (1947) from the University of Iowa at Iowa City.

He served in the U.S. Army Infantry from June 1941 to December 1945. He arrived in England in March 1944 and departed for France on the night of June 5/6, 1944. He returned to the United States in July 1945.

He was employed in various capacities by Hormel Foods Corporation from 1947 to 1983. He was a member of the Hormel Foundation from 1969 to 1995, the final year as its chairman.

He was an avid reader, a compulsive walker, and sometimes rider of bicycles. On rare occasions, he was mistaken for an intellectual.

Active in community, industry, and charitable affairs, his longtime local interests included Austin Community Scholarship Committee (807 W. Oakland Ave., Austin) and the Austin Public Library (323 Fourth Ave. NE, Austin).

Preceded in death by his wife, Adelaide, he is survived by a son, Brooks Holton, Minneapolis; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet Holton (Philip Haber), Reston, Va., and Ann (Mark) Paparella; one sister, Carol Parliament, Bloomington, Minn.; three grandchildren; and three nephews.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary in Austin, Minn., is in charge of arrangements.

Published April 13, 2012 in The Gazette