Cecil Hotz

CECIL R. HOTZ

Riverside

Cecil R. Hotz, 83, of Riverside, passed away Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at Atrium Village in Hills following complication of Lewy Body Dementia. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Lone Tree. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Lone Tree Cemetery at a later date. Following the funeral service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Lone Tree American Legion. The family requests all who attend to please wear a mask due to COVID-19. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lone Tree Fire Department, Atrium Village or tree plantings at the Lone Tree Community School or Atrium Village in memory of Cecil. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Cecil Richard Hotz was born Sept. 1, 1938, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Harry Charles and Blanche Bessie (Weber) Hotz. Cecil grew up on the farm southeast of Iowa City with his two brothers. He started country school on his fifth birthday with Mary Saylor. He played center on the football team in high school, was active in FFA holding several offices and showed Grand Champion Barrow Hogs at the West Liberty Fair, receiving the National FFA Farm Award. Cecil was a graduate of Lone Tree High School. When Cecil was attending a Lone Tree basketball game, he met his future wife, Molly. On Aug. 4, 1957, he was united in marriage to Molly Marlena Reed at the Methodist church in Webster, Iowa. He and Molly moved to their farm south of Lone Tree. Cecil loved farming, especially feeding cattle. He also sold corn, first Hulting Hybrids and later Lynx Hybrids. Cecil was very active in community organizations, a long time member of the Johnson County Cattlemen and Pork Producers, board of directors for the Lone Tree Care Center, trustee for Fremont Township, Moose Lodge and Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce, where he helped cook meals at the Lone Tree Fall Festival. In the late '70s, Cecil started Classic Cooking Grills, building custom grills for all Hy-Vee locations, Cattlemen's Association across Iowa and even some in Saudi Arabia, now owned and operated by his son-in-law, Jim Ford. He also removed snow in his John Deere tractor for several businesses in Lone Tree, the Lone Tree Community School parking lot and many residences. Johnny would leave the back door open to Johnny's Bar so Cecil could get a cup of coffee to warm up. Cecil enjoyed camping, playing cards and traveling, spending winters in Texas for over 20 years, cooking, building grills and watching football, especially the Hawkeyes.

Cecil will be deeply missed by his wife, Molly of Riverside; his children, Sharon (Doug) Ambrose of Tiffin, Keith (Kathy) Hotz of Lone Tree and Janyce (Jim) Ford of Lone Tree; grandchildren, Holly Ambrose, Melanie (Josh) Jurisic, Derek Ambrose, Kyle (Angie) Hotz, Travis Hotz and friend, Rosery Tudas, Tyler (Amanda) Hotz, Craig (Caitlin) Ford and Scott Ford and friend, Trish Richart; great-grandchildren, Mara, Vincent, Abby, Charlie, Tommy, Miles, Scarlett, Claire, Owen, James, Cole and Karah; brother, Marvin (Carol) Hotz of Lone Tree; sister-in-law, Nancy Hotz of Iowa City; and many nieces and nephews.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Harlan and Mabel Bair; and brother, Eldon Hotz.