ROGER HOLTHAUS

May 11, 1946 - Nov 20, 2014 PURCELL Roger Dean Holthaus died unexpectedly November 20, 2014, in Purcell, Oklahoma, at the age of 68 years 6 months 9 days. Roger was born May 11, 1946, to Harlan and Bernice (Hageman) Holthaus in Manchester, Iowa. Roger was raised in Iowa, graduating from Strawberry Point High School. He then graduated from barber college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Roger later served in the U.S. Army as an artillery surveyor in the 4th Infantry Division, serving in Vietnam. He earned his Expert Marksman and Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star. After being honorably discharged, Roger worked for Pinkerton Security, where he received several awards and Secret clearance from the Department of Defense. Roger was raised around horses, especially quarter horses. He was employed with Littleton Big Animal Clinic in Colorado. During his employment, they sent him to the east coast, where he worked with one of the great jumping horses, Calypso, who won the gold in the 1984 Olympics Equestrian and was featured on the Sports Illustrated cover. He said this was the greatest horse he ever worked with. He also worked for Helmsley Farms in Versailles, Kentucky. Locally, he worked for the Bohner Training Center with his sister and her husband, Jody and Verle, who own the center. Roger also worked with several local veterinarians until he retired, namely Jim Baily, Joe Carter and Pat Young. Roger was preceded in death by his father, Harlan Holthaus. Survivors include his mother, Bernice, of Iowa; wife, Joan, of the home; daughter, Kerri Lynn Van Horne, of Colorado; stepson, Mark Chest, of Pennsylvania; stepdaughter, Lori Dover, of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Justin Dover and Lisa Dover; sisters, Roxie Basten, of Iowa; Bonnie Cook, of Iowa; and Jody and husband Verle, of Oklahoma; nephews, Steven Cook, Michael Cook, and Sean Wood, all of Iowa; and numerous other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made in Roger's name to the WildCare Foundation, 7601 84th St, Noble, OK 73068.