ELVERA ANNE HEINZ HOLTZ

1916 - 2014

Holtz, Elvera Anne Heinz, age 98, entered into eternal rest on April 27, 2014.

A viewing from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Catholic funeral Mass starting at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 1100 W. Duarte Road in Arcadia, CA 91016. She will be laid to rest at Turner and Stevens Live Oak Memorial Park, 200 E. Duarte Rd, Arcadia, CA 91016. Funeral is under the direction of Turner & Stevens Live Oak Mortuary.

Elvera was born April 17, 1916 in Big River, WI to Joseph William and Catherine Kirsch Heinz. The Heinz family moved to Anaheim, CA when Elvera was 3 years old. She was third of fifteen children. Elvera graduated from St. Mary's grammar school, and Fullerton Union High School. She began working for Mutual Orange Distributors, then Boss Overall Cleaners for her Uncle John Kirsch. Later she and her sisters attended Mass every morning before their drive to Los Angeles for their jobs at Firestone Tire and Rubber.

Elvera married Henry A. Holtz, a rancher from Silverado Canyon in Orange, CA on Sept. 18, 1943. They wed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Anaheim, CA. The young couple moved to Olympia, WA, where Henry was stationed at Fort Lewis Army Base. After Henry was deployed to Europe, Elvera moved back to California to stay with her parents. Upon Henry's return from war he and Elvera resumed the ranching enterprise at Silverado. Together they raised a family of seven children. Charles, RIP (Helen), Walter (Toni), Tom (Virginia), Jeanne (Larry Abrams, RIP), Anne (Curt Jacobs), Pete (Joanne), Vince (Sue).

The bustling family moved to Orange, CA in 1955, where they lived for twenty years. The family regularly attended Holy Family Catholic Church where Elvera was an active member of her parish. Henry and Elvera moved to Valyermo, CA and lived there until finally moving to Riverside, CA in 1980. Henry and Elvera found a traditional Catholic Church, Our Lady of the Angels, to attend in Arcadia, CA and traveled many miles to receive the graces of the true Mass. Elvera took part in Altar Society and choir and she and Henry supported the church and its members with great enthusiasm and love. Henry passed away in 1996 after 53 years of marriage.

A highlight of Elvera's life was a trip to Italy in her 80's where she was able to visit and tour many historic and holy sites.

She was known by her family to be unwavering in her Catholic Faith. She led an exemplary life and kept her faith in the center of everything she did from driving people to church who could no longer drive, to making tapioca pudding for anyone she thought needed a dose of good comfort food. Her roses and her home were very special to her and she kept an immaculate and welcoming home, lawn and garden.

She leaves behind nine grandchildren: Luke, Kim, Matt (Morgan), Jake, Erin, Amy, Mary (Rafe), Sara and Dan. Her five great grandchildren: Hannah, Henry, Kayla, Lucien and Rex.

In Elveras' memory, donations may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Academy, 1100 W. Duarte Rd,, Arcadia, CA 91016.