Clarence George Holtz
January 14, 1927 — August 5, 2018
Clarence Holtz, son of Fred J. and Emma (Ingwersen) Holtz was born on January 14, 1927 in a farm home near Avoca, Iowa. He was the ninth child out of eleven born. He attended school in Avoca and graduated with the class of 1945. After graduation, Clarence worked for Ted Beadle, City of Avoca and his brother Herbert Holtz. He was a very active member in his community. He was a 4-H leader, supported the local Boy Scout Troop, youth leader and usher at the Trinity Lutheran Church.
On March 15, 1950 Clarence married his first and only sweetheart, Betty Jean Davis at the First Lutheran Church in Avoca. They began farming, hand-milking cows and raising hogs with the help of his father-in-law, Harold Davis. In 1953, Debra Kay was born. To help make ends meet, Clarence started working different jobs; some including: for the railroad, carpentry work, drove the school bus, the alfalfa mill and in the egg department at the Avoca creamery.
Their little family moved north of Avoca to the Chris Miller farm in 1956 and a year later, Michael Craig was born. Clarence continued to farm, raise feed cattle, milk cows, sheep and hogs. He also continued driving the school bus for the AvoHa School District. In 1969, Clarence and Betty Jean bought their farm south of Avoca. Clarence started working for the Iowa Department of Transportation until he retired in 1992. For many years, they ran the Parkway Café & Campground, Coffee Cup Café and the Sale Barn Café. Clarence and Betty Jean bought a home in Mesa, Arizona in 2003 and spent several winters there.
Clarence had a special bond with horses, whether it was the horses he worked with as a kid, the Shetland ponies on the farm or his collection of figurines; he always managed to have horses nearby. He enjoyed going camping, dancing the night away with Betty Jean and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Clarence loved his family more than anything. He always looked forward to the big Holtz family gatherings with his brothers, sisters and all the kids.
Clarence passed away on August 5, 2018 at Berkley Manor Care Center in Denver, Colorado attaining the age of ninety-one years, six months and twenty-two days. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Jean after sixty-six years of marriage.
He is survived by his daughter Debbie and her husband David King of Denver, Colorado; son Mike Holtz and his wife Kim of Windsor, Colorado; grandchildren Joseph, Thomas, Matthew and Margaret; 4 great grandchildren; brother Delno Holtz and his wife Betty of Avoca, IA; sister-in-law Maxine and her husband Gene Sornsen of Avoca, IA; nieces and nephews; other family member and friends.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Avoca in Clarence's name.
On March 15, 1950 Clarence married his first and only sweetheart, Betty Jean Davis at the First Lutheran Church in Avoca. They began farming, hand-milking cows and raising hogs with the help of his father-in-law, Harold Davis. In 1953, Debra Kay was born. To help make ends meet, Clarence started working different jobs; some including: for the railroad, carpentry work, drove the school bus, the alfalfa mill and in the egg department at the Avoca creamery.
Their little family moved north of Avoca to the Chris Miller farm in 1956 and a year later, Michael Craig was born. Clarence continued to farm, raise feed cattle, milk cows, sheep and hogs. He also continued driving the school bus for the AvoHa School District. In 1969, Clarence and Betty Jean bought their farm south of Avoca. Clarence started working for the Iowa Department of Transportation until he retired in 1992. For many years, they ran the Parkway Café & Campground, Coffee Cup Café and the Sale Barn Café. Clarence and Betty Jean bought a home in Mesa, Arizona in 2003 and spent several winters there.
Clarence had a special bond with horses, whether it was the horses he worked with as a kid, the Shetland ponies on the farm or his collection of figurines; he always managed to have horses nearby. He enjoyed going camping, dancing the night away with Betty Jean and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Clarence loved his family more than anything. He always looked forward to the big Holtz family gatherings with his brothers, sisters and all the kids.
Clarence passed away on August 5, 2018 at Berkley Manor Care Center in Denver, Colorado attaining the age of ninety-one years, six months and twenty-two days. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Betty Jean after sixty-six years of marriage.
He is survived by his daughter Debbie and her husband David King of Denver, Colorado; son Mike Holtz and his wife Kim of Windsor, Colorado; grandchildren Joseph, Thomas, Matthew and Margaret; 4 great grandchildren; brother Delno Holtz and his wife Betty of Avoca, IA; sister-in-law Maxine and her husband Gene Sornsen of Avoca, IA; nieces and nephews; other family member and friends.
The family has asked in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Trinity Lutheran Church of Avoca in Clarence's name.
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