Lanny Holzer
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On March 6, 2020 @ 12:07 pm In 2020,Obituaries | 13 Comments
Lanny F. Holzer, of Jordan passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020 at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan at the age of 90. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10 from 4-7pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, March 11 at 11am with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Full military honors will be provided by the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard. Pall-bearers will be Lanny’s grandchildren. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.
On July 31, 1929 Lanny Francis Holzer was born to Theodore and Rose (Busch) Holzer. Lanny was the middle child with older brother, Roman and younger sister, Armella. Growing up on the Holzer farm was special to Lanny as he never lost track of his roots and the importance of family. At a young age, Lanny was faced with many tragedies, including his brother’s death at a young age and nearly losing his own life during the Armistice Day blizzard and also the family dwelling burning down. From these setbacks, Lanny learned to persevere during life’s tough times.
Following his graduation from New Prague high school, Lanny remained working on the family farm but then chose to enlist into the military. He proudly served in the United States Army, spending most of his enlisted time in Alaska. Patriotism was always near to his heart and later in life was a long-time volunteer for the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard, where he always carried the American flag with pride.
Theresa Svoboda had a good friend, Armella Holzer that she worked with. Armella pulled out a military photo of her brother, Lanny, and Theresa said “That is the man for me”. After their initial meeting at the New Prague ballroom and six months of courtship, wedding bells chimed on August 30, 1956 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New Market. From that union, David, Mark, Mary and Pete were born and life became full for the newlyweds.
As a family they enjoyed their annual trips to Island View Resort in Richmond, MN where they spent a week together fishing, swimming and playing on the beach. Lanny made sure the kids had a snowmobile and “scamper” go kart for entertainment around the yard. As a family, they always enjoyed their annual trips to Perkins on Easter. Lanny was proud to coach the St. Benedict baseball team especially as it involved his boys. Life was complete when the grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived—he was known as the “whisperer” when it came time to calm the kids down.
Lanny and Terry enjoyed their travel to such places as Egypt, Africa, Thailand, Alaska, Germany, Amsterdam, Italy, the Holy Land and Vatican where they met Pope John Paul II.
Lanny had lots of LIKES: hunting, fishing, golf, Threshing Bee, Polka music, “shop parties”, his deer shack, chopping wood, fixing things, preserving the land and his love for all the dogs he’s ever had.
He started his working career farming the family farm, then worked a few years at Continental Grain. He spent 25 years at Metropolitan Mosquito Control where he enjoyed mentoring many of the younger workers. He enjoyed his “retirement job” cutting grass at Creeks bend Golf Course. Lanny was a chaplain for the American Legion where he would lead prayer and was proud of his St. Benedict Catholic Church upbringing where he was a long-time parishioner and church trustee.
A humble, kind, and gentle man of strong faith, Lanny will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Terry Holzer; children, David (Chris) Holzer, Mark (Ann) Holzer, Mary (Marty) Pekarna, Pete (Kelly) Holzer; grandchildren, Nikki (Bryan) Erkkila, Mandy (Karl) Bitschenauer, Ryan (Valerie) Holzer, Justine (Ryan) Hagness, Ali Pekarna, Jake Pekarna, Sunny Holzer, Ruby Holzer; great-grandchildren, Parker and Morgan Erkkila, Lilli, Evalyn, Everett, Luca and Greta Bitschenauer, Cam and Delaney Holzer, Lanny and Dylan Hagness; many relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Rose (Busch) Holzer; brother, Roman Holzer; sister, Armella (Dr. Roger) Rynda.
The family would like to thank Oak Terrace Senior Living staff for their loving care of Lanny.
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Mary and family, so sorry to hear. Hugs to you
Terry and family, our sincere sympathy for your loss.
He is with the Lord now, whole and healthy, and praying
for his loved ones.
Sorry to hear about Lanny’s passing. He was my foreman at mosquito control for 6 seasons. We did keep in touch every year with a Christmas card after I left there. My sincerest sympathy to Terry and the rest of his family.
Terry, Mary and family, I was so sorry to hear of Lannys passing. It was wonderful to get to know him and your family at Oak Terrace. He was a lovely, gracious gentleman and I know how much he was loved. Hugs to you all.
Terry, Mary, Peter, Mark and David, Please accept my condolences to Lanny’s passing. I have many fond memories of your dad, especially more recent times when I could pick up a truck load of firewood and then dad, your dad and I would hang out in the shop for a beer. Sure, it was late morning usually, but so what!
Sorry to hear about Lanny, Growing up in Helena and hanging out with Pete on your farm, lots of good times .. Then spending 3 years working at Mosquito Control with Lanny, Great guy, very smart mechanically and learn a lot from him. lots of memories there.
Thoughts and Prayers to the whole family
From Your old Neighbor Don Bartyzal
Dear Holzer Family, We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your Husband,Father,and Grandfather. We always enjoyed Lanny,and we thought he was such a kind and gentle man. We many times had the pleasure of sitting by him at athletic events. We pray your many wonderful memories will offer you peace and comfort. Love and Prayers,Kent and JoAnn Wolf
Another one of the “good guys” gone, my memories of Lanny,was always fun and ready for anything. I recently found a picture of him helping us with making apple cider/juice here just a year and a half ago . He will be sadly missed by everyone.
So sorry to hear of Lannys passing. He always had a big smile. St. Benedict loses another good one.
Condolences to all the family of my old neighbor on the farm in Helena. My, the decades have passed and nearly a century…. but some things remain in our memories forever, as does Lanny, and actually for me, still fluently German, remembering the old days of farming and watching Lanny working across the fence as I went off with my dog across the pastures to get the cows!!! Old Helena when the store was still open! But the times surely changed in our century on this planet. Although I am writing this from another country, up here in Canada well over half of the century, so many of you are still in my mind. Rejoice in the memories of a very fine neighbor!
Terry and all the family members, I send my condolences to all at the loss of a wonderful man you can be proud to call your father. In reading his obituary I can see where he will be sadly missed. You were lucky to have him for 90 years to show you the way. Keep all those memories in your heart and talk to him when the need arises. He will be keeping a watchful eye on all of you.
I just learned of Lanny’s passing. My condolences to Terry and family. I remember Lanny and Terry fondly as such kind people, members of the St. Benedict community of my childhood and friends of my parents. Peace.
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So sorry to hear of Lannys passing. Our sincere sympathy to Terry and the family.