Holtapp, Dale Lea

Heaven welcomed a beautiful soul on Saturday, March 19, 2011, when Dale Lea Holtapp, 52, passed away at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lost Nation, with the Rev. Greg Steckel officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. today at the church, where a vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in Smithtown Cemetery, rural Lost Nation. Lahey Funeral & Cremation Services in Oxford Junction is in charge of arrangements.

Dale was born Jan. 12, 1959, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He graduated from Pomeroy Community High School in 1977 and from Waldorf College, with a degree in accounting, and obtained his Management Development Certificate in 1988. Dale and Kathy were married April 8, 1978, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Pomeroy. Dale worked for Pomeroy Coop before moving to the Lost Nation area, where he managed The Coop in Lost Nation the past 22 years. He recently realized a dream as he purchased a farm that he was farming along with Kathy and Clint.

Spending time with family and friends, especially his two grandchildren, was a favorite pastime. Dale also loved the farm, hunting, butchering, and camping.

Dale is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 32 years, Kathy (Graham) Holtapp; a son, Clint (Kayla Thordsen) Holtapp of Oxford Junction; a daughter, Brittany (Rory) Lopata of Rowley; and two grandchildren, Evan and Dakota Lopata.

Also surviving are Dale's parents, Pat and Harold Holtapp of Pocahontas; brothers, Jay (Vicki Hodges) Holtapp and Mike (Debbie) Holtapp, both of Pomeroy; sisters, Susan Holtapp (Dale Frieday) of Minneapolis and Mary (Bruce) Holtapp Mills of Kalamazoo, Mich.; mother-in-law, Bev Graham, and brother-in-law, Dean (Gay) Graham, both of Dalhart, Texas; sister-in-law, Kim (Bud) Juilfs of Wellman; and many nieces and nephews.

Welcoming Dale will be his paternal grandparents, Bill and Martha Holtapp; maternal grandparents, Jay and Phyllis Clark; and father-in-law, Gene Graham.

The family appreciates the support the community has given. A special thanks to Hospice of Jackson County for the excellent care during Dale's final weeks.

Online condolences may be left for the family at