• In Memory Of

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George J. Holthaus

Seneca, Kansas

03/23/1919 - 10/25/2020

George J. Holthaus, 101, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. He was transferred there with pneumonia one week earlier from Life Care Center of Seneca, where he had lived since October 2016.

George was born March 23, 1919, the firstborn to Francis and Rose Olberding Holthaus on the family homestead southeast of Baileyville. He grew up there, attended Sacred Heart School at Baileyville and helped work on the family farm. In 1940, George started to farm on his own.

On October 1, 1941, George married his “2nd grade sweetheart classmate”, Rita Reinecke, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. They lived on a farm southeast of Baileyville until 1943, when they moved to a farm northeast of Seneca where they farmed for 16 years. In 1959, George and Rita moved 1½ miles west of Baileyville where they established a new farmstead. There they continued to raise their eight children and George continued his passion for farming and also raised cattle and hogs, with Rita by his side, until they retired in 1983 and moved to a new home in Seneca. He continued to stay active in farming until 2003, by helping his children and grandchildren farm. When George’s beloved wife’s health failed, and she had to enter the nursing home, he diligently visited her every day, feeding her daily when she could no longer do so herself, for over 4 years, until her death on February 19, 2009. After her death, George continued to live on his own and enjoyed his large garden and fruit trees, canning all the fruit and vegetables they produced. As his strength and health declined, he decided to enter the nursing home in October 2016. While living at Life Care Center, he still remained active by stationary cycling every day and growing tomatoes in the courtyard. He also remained interested in farming and he loved when his family would take him country cruising to see the crops growing!

When the COVID pandemic hit in March, in his wisdom he immediately stated, “This is going to change the world”, which indeed it did. He accepted the drastic changes that it brought to his life, but for the last 8 months of his life, with the COVID restrictions, he desperately missed seeing his family and he yearned for the times he spent with them.

George was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, was very devoted to his faith, and diligently prayed the rosary every day.  In the past his memberships included being a school board member with an active role in the consolidation of USD #451 in Baileyville. He also served on the Nemaha County Coop board for nine years and on the board of the Citizen’s State Bank for several years. George was a lifetime active member of the Knights of Columbus and sang in the church choir. He enjoyed reading and playing cards, but his greatest joy was the time he spent visiting with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.   He loved reminiscing about “the good ol’ days” and shared his knowledge of history and politics with his family, who thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories.

Besides his wife, George is preceded in death by two stillborn infants, Dennis in 1944, and Mary Ann in 1948, his son Nick, on December 22, 2011, his infant grandson, Michael Holthaus, on September 14, 1966, and a son-in-law, Roy Dalinghaus, on December 28, 2002. Also preceding him in death are siblings, Sr. Sharon Holthaus, OSB, Rita Strathman, Edwin Holthaus, and Leo Holthaus.

Surviving children include Harlan Holthaus (Georgina), Baileyville, Galen Holthaus (Sharon), Marysville, Rosalee Stimac (Bob), Seneca, Elaine O’Connor (Bill), Kansas City, MO, Betty Sudbeck (Richard), Nancy Sudbeck (Don), Joanie Holthaus (Arlyn), and daughter-in-law, Jeanne Holthaus, all of Seneca.   He will also be greatly missed by his 38 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, with 2 on the way, 7 great-great-grandchildren, with 1 on the way, 10 step great-grandchildren, and 4 step great-great grandchildren. Vivina Strathman of Seneca is his only surviving sibling.

George will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.

George will lie in state at Sts. Peter & Paul at 9 AM Wednesday morning.

A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 28th at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11AM at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, following the rosary.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville.

Memorials are for Sts. Peter & Paul School.

George will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.

 SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK REQUESTED.

George will lie in state at Sts. Peter & Paul at 9 AM Wednesday morning. A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 28th at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11AM at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, following the rosary. Both will be live streamed. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville.

Memorials are for Sts. Peter & Paul School.

George will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.

 SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK REQUESTED.

George will lie in state at Sts. Peter & Paul at 9 AM Wednesday morning. A Rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 28th at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11AM at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, following the rosary. Both will be live streamed. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Baileyville.

Memorials are for Sts. Peter & Paul School.

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17 Comments

  1. Donna (Ronnebaum) Sasser on October 26, 2020 at 9:19 am

    My sympathy goes to everyone in George’s family. He was a great neighbor and a wonderful family man!

  2. Butch and Marcia Clark on October 26, 2020 at 11:16 am

    So sorry to hear about George’s passing. Condolences to the family

  3. Rose Wilhelm on October 26, 2020 at 11:20 am

    My Deepest Sympathy to all the family!!! Hugs and prayers !!

    • Jolene File on October 26, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      My heart goes out to you, George’s family. I know he was an amazing man from reading his obituary and listening to his daughter, Betty, talk of him. I was able to see him last at the nursing home where he carried on a conversation with Jim and I and Betty and Richard. He seemed so sharp; always being interested in people and his community. He will be greatly missed. Just try to think of the many years and memories you have had with him. My deepest sympathy! Hugs, Jolene

  4. Margaret Rethman on October 26, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    I got to know George when he had his wife in the nursing home and my husband was there too. All four of us sat at the dinner table everyday and George loved to talk about family and everything he did at home. He always had a smile on his face when he talked about his garden and canning. He will be missed by many and I was so glad to have that time with him.

  5. Sara Knowles on October 26, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    George and Rita were so loving and kind. I am glad they are back together. The family is in my prayers.

  6. Ed & Kim Bergman on October 26, 2020 at 6:35 pm

    Our condolences to the George Holthaus family, our thoughts and prayers are with you

  7. Brian Feldkamp on October 26, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    Our condolences to the entire Holthaus family on the passing of George. He was the perfect example of the greatest generation; hard working, humble, generous and a loving family man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Brian and Joni Feldkamp

  8. Barbara Deters on October 26, 2020 at 8:29 pm

    My deepest sympathy to the family! I got to know George better when I spent some time recovering from a broken ankle. He enjoyed you all so much, know the last months were hard for him. Rest in peace George! Barbara Deters

  9. Mary & Mike Sack on October 26, 2020 at 9:39 pm

    Our deepest sympathy to the family. George and Rita were a great example for the rest of us married couples. They were truly wonderful and caring people.

  10. Bruce & Judy Larkin on October 26, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Our condolences to the Holthaus family. George was a model citizen in our community and will be remembered for his tireless work ethic and service to the community. Bruce & Judy Larkin

  11. Bernice and John Nordhus on October 27, 2020 at 10:18 am

    Our sympathy to all the Holthaus family and especially Rosalee who I worked with at the Soul Provider. Your Dad must have had a big heart because it reflected in you. Like you, his peaches were the best. We have two of his trees at the farm and I hope they won’t freeze when in bloom. They are the best. Your parents were good role models for marriage. May your Dad rest in Peace.

  12. Carol & Linda Haverkamp on October 27, 2020 at 11:31 am

    Our Deepest Sympathy to the Holthaus family. Your dad lived a full and wonderful life and will be remembered for a long time!
    God Bless you all!
    Love & Prayers,
    Carol & Linda Haverkamp

  13. Karen (Nightingale) Lollman on October 27, 2020 at 11:43 am

    Dad (Rex Nightingale) had a great deal of respect for George and had a special place in his heart for the “girls”, especially Nancy! George shared his life with you for a very long time and now he lives with the Lord. He helped you build a lifetime of wonderful memories that will comfort you in the coming day. Celebrate his life, he was a wonderful man!

  14. Robert J. Steinlage on October 27, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    My condolences and prayers go out to the The George Holthaus family especially Edwin’s children whom I know, Steve and Richard. God bless you !

  15. Mary Agnes Patterson on October 28, 2020 at 11:17 am

    My prayers and words of sympathy are with the family of George Holthaus. I enjoyed my visits with George and was so impressed by his love of Rita and
    his family – children and their children and grandchildren.
    The sisters prayed for the eternal peace and happiness of George Holthaus.
    Sorry I cannot visit in person – stay at home order.
    Mary Agnes Patterson, OSB
    Mount St. Scholatica
    Atchison, KS.

  16. David Clements on October 29, 2020 at 6:09 pm

    So sorry to learn about the passing of George! He was a great and caring individual who always showed great concern for his family, friends, Church, and community. He will be sorely missed. My fondest memories were when I was fortunate enough to beat him in cards, and would be able to take a few (very few) quarters off of him. But he would always get more from me than I from him! May he find his everlasting peace, and have some rousing card games in heaven with his wife, family, friends, and new friends he finds there!!!

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