Donald F. Holthaus, 68 of 506 9th St., Charles City, died Thursday September 15, 2011, at Floyd County Medical Center, Charles City.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Charles City. Officiating will be the Rev.’s Dennis Niezwaag and David Werges. Interment will be in Sunnyside Memorial Garden, Charles City. Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. Monday at the Fullerton HageFuneral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City. Memorials in Don's honor may be given to St. John Lutheran or Hospice of North Iowa. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Fullertonfh.com or Facebook.com/Fullertonfuneralhome.
Donald Frederick was born the second oldest of four children to Harley and Mabel (Duesenberg) Holthaus on October 14, 1942, in Colesburg, Iowa. At a young age Donald moved with his family to Rockford, Iowa. He graduated with the class of 1960 from Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock Schools. Don began his police career as a dispatcher in March 1972, and became a police officer in December 1973, taking his law enforcement training at Camp Dodge in Des Moines. Over the years he continued his police education at North Iowa Area Community College. Don met his future wife through his sister and love bloomed. He married Marlene Ann Slinger on May 27, 1972, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they have been long time members. Two children were born from this union. In their early years, they bowled on Friday nights and got together with friends. In September 1990, Don retired from law enforcement due to his failing eyesight. After retirement, he worked for the Parks Board mowing lawns, and maintained the Calvary Cemetery. Don remained active tending his garden, having “coffee” with the guys, and collecting Duesenberg model cars. The original Duesenberg car was built by his great-uncles. Recently, Don mowed lawns and removed snow for his neighbors. Don shared his love of life and laughter with his family and friends until the very end.
Don was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Farm Bureau, Heritage Club at First Citizens National Bank, and served on the Flood Creek Cemetery Board.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 39 years, Marlene; two children: Joel Donald Holthaus, Waverly, IA, and JoAnn Marie (Edgar) Hervert, Charles City, IA; Sister Marilyn Thoe, Lake City, MN; three grandsons Branden, Josiah, and Isaac Hervert; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; and special friends Vern “Bud” and Jeanne Castle, Waterloo, IA; Dennis Ginther and Bonnie Marth, both of Rockford, IA.
Those preceding him in death are his parents, brothers Herbert (in infancy) and Lester, and brother-in-law Norman Thoe.
Fullerton Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt, Charles City, Iowa 50616 641-228-4211 www.Fullertonfh.com Facebook.com/Fullertonfuneralhome
