Lucille Holthaus

Lucille Bertha Holthaus, 95, of Ossian, Iowa died Thursday, July 22, 2021, at the Ossian Senior Hospice in Ossian, Iowa. Lucille was born on January 20, 1926, on the family farm near Festina, Iowa, to Joseph and Edwina (Lechtenberg) Thuente. Following her schooling, Lucille worked for a brief time at the New Hampton Hospital.

Lucille was united in marriage to Cletus Holthaus on June 21, 1949, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa, by the Rev. H.P. Nosbisch. Seven children were born to this union. Lucille and Cletus moved onto the family farm the first winter of their marriage and farmed the land until they moved into town on December 8, 1984. She was a long-time member of the C.D.A., Rosary Society and St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Lucille enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, canning, picking all sorts of berries, playing cards and watching the Chicago Cubs play ball. She also enjoyed working on puzzles, watching game shows and collecting all sorts of bells. Most of all, Lucille loved her family deeply and cherished the time they spent together.  

Survivors include her seven children, Shirley Frimml (Jim Swender), Cedar Rapids, Gerald “Jake” Holthaus, Castalia, Dennis (Marilyn) Holthaus, Ossian, Donald (Linda) Holthaus, Ossian, Joan (Roger) Egeland, Ossian, Betty (Dale) Gerleman, Ossian and Rosie (Dennis) Ney, West Union; fourteen grandchildren, Mitchell (Jenny) Holthaus, Melissa Holthaus, Jackie (Charles) Kies, Michael (Irene) Holthaus, Chris Holthaus, Jennifer (Chris) Stanbrough, Dustin (Jodi) Egeland, Tyler (Lauren) Egeland, Josh Gerleman, Trisha (Andy) Smith, Jason Gerleman, Kaitlin Gerleman, Bobbi Jo (Kevin) Vierow, Darin Ney; nineteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Anita Tieskoetter, Ossian, Kathleen (Jim) Nelson, Cedar Rapids; three brothers, Sylvan (Connie) Thuente, Macon, GA, Ludger (Lynn) Thuente, Sterling, IL and Joseph Thuente, Ackley. 

Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Edwina Thuente; her husband, Cletus Holthaus on September 14, 2002; one granddaughter, Tiffany Gerleman and her siblings and in-laws, Marie Thuente in infancy, Arlene Thuente, Rose Ann Gussy, Virgil (Irma) Thuente, Lambert (Lou) Thuente, Marlin (Pat) Thuente, Alphonse Tieskoetter and Arlene Thuente.

Visitation was held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a CDA Rosary at 3:30 p.m. and Scripture Service at 3:45 p.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa. There was also a one-hour visitation before Mass at the church on Tuesday.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Ossian, Iowa with Rev. Robert Gross as the Celebrant.

Burial followed at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian, Iowa.

Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Ossian, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.