Richard "Rick" Holthaus

Richard "Rick" Holthaus, age 62, of Alta Vista, IA passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2022 at Floyd County Memorial Hospital at Charles City, IA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 7, 2022 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista with Father Jerry Kopacek celebrating the mass. With respect to the recent surge in COVID positivity rates, masks will be required at the funeral mass and visitation. If you're unable to attend the funeral in person, please join the family via Conway-Markham Funeral Home's Facebook LIVE at the time of the service. Burial will be held at Mt. Calvary in Alta Vista.
Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 PM on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home in Elma, IA and will continue at the church one hour prior to the funeral mass on Friday. Online condolences may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. In lieu of floral contributions or gifts, memorials may be directed to the New Hampton FFA Chapter or to the family to be designated at a later date.
Richard "Rick" Holthaus was born on March 11, 1959, the son of James and
Arlene (Rosenbaum) Holthaus in New Hampton, IA. Rick's childhood days were spent
on the family Dairy Farm outside of New Hampton. He attended and graduated from
New Hampton High School in the class of 1977. While in school, Rick was active in the
New Hampton FFA Chapter, even serving as President and Vice President and
received the Iowa Farmer Degree. After completing his education, Rick began working
at Meinerz's Creamery, and then to Great Plains as a yard foreman. He also began his
lifelong career farming.
Rick was united in marriage to Cindy Ann Boehmer on May 31, 1980 at St.
Bernard Catholic Church in Alta Vista. As the couple made their home in rural Alta
Vista, they welcomed their five children, Brandon, Miranda, Lindsey, Justina and Jarrett.
Rick devoted his adult life to being a public servant in many ways. He served nine
years on the New Hampton School Board, serving as the President and Vice President.
He also served on the Nominating committee for Hawkeye REC, he and Cindy have
been active members of the Alta Vista Commercial club for over 24 Years, St. Bernard's
Church having served on the parish council and served as an usher, Eucharistic
minister, and chairman of the finance council. Rick also served on many other boards
and committees: Pork Producers, Community Foundation Grant Committee, Avenue of
the Saints Rural Revitalization Project, Steering Committee for Golden Grain Ethanol
Plant, State committees for Farm Bureau, nine years as county supervisor serving as
chair and vice chair and he has represented the county on these boards: Health
Insurance board, Health Insurance Advisory Board, County Social Services (CSS), CSS
Advisory Board, as well as being an integral part of the Northeast Iowa Community
Action Board, North Iowa Response Group, and Heartland Insurance Board.
Though farming was arguably Rick's passion, then politics, it was his family that
he cherished the most, especially earning the title, "Papa!" He had a special bond with
all of his grandkids and enjoyed spending so much time with him. Rick has quite the
collection of toy tractors and could be often found at toy shows or auctions. He will be
lovingly remembered for his kind heart and devotion to his community. He was rarely
short on words or passion when it came to defending his point of view on what was best
for the community or just being a better human being. He touched the lives of many!
His memories are cherished by his wife, Cindy of Alta Vista; his sons, Brandon and
Jarrett Holthaus of Alta Vista; his daughters, Miranda (Adam) Eichenberger of New
Hampton, Lindsey (Danny) Fontenot of Waterloo, IA and Justina (Dustin) Brown of
Denver, IA; his grandchildren, Eli, Emmett, Hailey, Carter and Danny; in-laws, Jerome
and Fran Boehmer; Randy (Christy) Boehmer, both of Alta Vista; and Kevin (Brenda)
Boehmer of Rockford, IA and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Roger.
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