Lillian Elizabeth Holthaus

Lillian Elizabeth Holthaus age 96 died at Wellington Place Care Center in Decorah on October 17, 2025. She was born in her rural home near Festina on October 5,1929, the 7 th of 9 children of Felix and Agnes (Schmitt) Holthaus. Baptized and confirmed at Our lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina. She attended St Mary's Catholic School until the 6 th grade. Illness ended her formal education.

At the age of 2, Epilepsy became a progressive and debilitating lifelong burden. The frequent grand mal seizures increased as she grew, limiting her ability to participate in normal childhood activities. At the age of 16 a new miracle drug called phenobarbital brought her seizures under control, giving Lillian a life she could enjoy despite the permanent brain damage caused by prolonged seizures and the side effects of high doses of phenobarbital. In her prime adult years, she enjoyed putting complex jigsaw puzzles together and playing cards, especially Euker and 500. She would call out the Pope himself if he didn't follow suit. She would dig deep into the pile of tricks to prove her case beyond a reasonable doubt in card court. All her assigned tasks were performed with meticulous attention to painstaking details. A garden under her care never had a weed. A rubbish fire under her watch was attended until the last ember was cold.

Lillian is remembered by family for her quirkiness. She did not allow herself to accumulate many earthly goods. She was a good steward of the few cherished possessions she did have. Her shoes were particularly important to her, perhaps related to the era in which she grew up. She cleaned the soles every night and typically walked tip toed during the day to prevent scuffing them. Once Lillian's mind was made up, it was set in concrete and worthy of her convictions. She was a diligent prayer warrior. Her daily prayers were dedicated to a named person each day of the year. Recipients of those daily prayers were only replaced when someone more needy was identified. Lillian's relationship with the Lord was unique. She often had spiritual visions during post seizure episodes that provided her with premonitions that came to pass.

Her surviving family credits her long life to the amazing care she received throughout her years. A good amount of her life was under the watchful care and friendship of Wellington Place Care Center staff and residents whom in essence became her immediate family. Her biological family is forever grateful to that community. Rejoice that she has now been allowed to go home and be with her heavenly family.

She is survived by her sister Caroline Schildmeyer and many nieces and nephews.

Lillian is preceded in death by her parents: Felix and Agnes Holthaus. Her siblings and (in-laws): Augustine (Ethel) Holthaus, Ralph (Olivia) Holthaus, Rudy (Germaine) Holthaus, Severin (Dorothy) Holthaus, Rosemary Holthaus (died at age 10), Agnes (Edward) Riha, Francis (Luella) Holthaus. Brother-in-law: Joseph Schildmeyer.