James Holthaus

James H. Holthaus age 82 of New Hampton, died Friday, January 16, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in New Hampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 19, 2015, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by James’ children. Lectors for the Mass will be Miranda Eichenberger, Jenna Martin, and Sarah House. Presenting the offertory gifts will be grandchildren Justina Brown, Becca Dunahoo, Hannah Holthaus, Stephanie Martin, Britney Holthaus, Evan Gossling, Amber House, and Emily House. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton with grandsons Joshua Holthaus, Jarrett Holthaus, Spencer Gossling, Jayson Holthaus, Adrian Martin, Zach Holthaus, James House, and Alex Dunahoo serving as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2015, at Hugeback - Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 2:00 p.m. Rosary and a 4:30 p.m. Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Monday. James Herman Holthaus was born July 21, 1932, in Ossian, Iowa, the son of Herman and Pauline (Bohr) Holthaus. James’ family moved to a farm northwest of New Hampton in March of 1942 where he attended country school and St. Mary’s Catholic School through the 8th grade. James and his father farmed together until his father’s death. He met Arlene Rosenbaum and the couple were married on September 14, 1954, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler. To this union, nine children were born. James was very dedicated to his farm. James spent his life dairying, raising hogs and crops. James took pride in having straight rows while planting his crops. He was a perfectionist pouring concrete for cattle yards and hog floors . He enjoyed his time helping out family and neighbors. James had a strong passion for his faith and his family. He adored all of his grandchildren. He was a longtime member of the Holy Family Parish. James was an avid collector of all things John Deere, especially his John Deere tractors. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Driving around was another passion, whether it be a Sunday afternoon drive, going for ice cream cones at the Dairy Crme, or checking out the crops, weather, and neighbors. James is survived by his wife of 60 years, Arlene Holthaus of New Hampton, IA; two sons, Richard (Cindy) Holthaus of Alta Vista, Randy (Melissa) Holthaus of Plainfield; six daughters, Glenda Holthaus of Cedar Rapids, Gladys (Gary) Martin of Waucoma, Barbara Holthaus of Marshalltown, Susan (LeRoy) Gossling of New Hampton, Nancy (Bruce) Dunahoo of Zearing, Amy (Dale) House of Sioux Falls, SD; twenty-six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Phyllis (Tom) Mitchell of Hawkeye, IA, Grace (Don) Arens of Lawler, IA; aunt, Sister Marie Bohr, OSF of Dubuque, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Roger Holthaus, on September 23, 2014; his parents, Herman and Pauline Holthaus; in-laws, Hugo and Hildegard Rosenbaum, three sisters; Clarice Glaser, Donna Mae Holthaus, and Bernice in infancy; and brother-in-law, Eugene Rosenbaum.