Roger Holtz

Roger Paul Holtz, 80, of Mason City, died Friday, December 7, 2012. A celebration of life gathering will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at the Frank Lloyd Wright Park Inn Hotel (Ballroom), 15 West State Street – Mason City. Memorials may be directed to the Roger Holtz memorial fund, in care of the family. Roger Paul Holtz was born October 9, 1932, in Hastings, Nebraska, the son of Raymond and Esther (Nordseth) Holtz. At the age of 3 months, his family moved back to Mason City and this became Roger's lifelong home. Roger graduated from Mason City High School in 1950, where he had been editor of the school paper. He also graduated from Mason City Junior College in 1952, and attended St. Olaf College until he joined the U.S. Army in 1953. Roger served from 1953-1955, and was stationed in Okinawa. He remained in the Army Reserves for several years following his discharge. On July 8, 1953, Roger married Judith Merriman in Clear Lake, Iowa. They had two daughters. In 1955, Roger joined his father in the real estate business. He owned Holtz Realty and worked in many aspects of the real estate business until his retirement in 2010. In September of 1980, Roger married Helen Bottorff. They worked together at Holtz Realty. Roger also taught classes at NIACC. He was a generous man with great business integrity. Roger felt great pride in Mason City and served on many boards and organizations, such as the Lions Club, Jaycees, Mason City Chamber of Commerce (50 year member), the Mason City Country Club (50 year member), and served as Senior Appraiser for the Southbridge Project. Roger was a charter member of the Mason City Board of Realtors and established the Mason City MLS Service. He was also a member of the VFW and the Elks Lodge. Roger loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He also enjoyed golfing, fishing, staying at the lake house, playing cards, cribbage, travel, sports, football club, and visiting with his friends, colleagues, and associates. He had a great love for wildlife and became a wild bird caretaker. Roger is survived by his wife: Helen Holtz of Mason City; 4 daughters: Michele Mueller of Columbus, Nebraska, Heidi Hamand of Des Moines, Iowa, Kim Cusson of Lake Havasu, Arizona, and Karen (Nelson) Mclnnes of Storm Lake, lowa; 1 son, Bruce (Lisa) Bottorff, of Lake Havasu, Arizona; grandchildren: Jenny Moline, Bradley Hamand, Jacque DeBuse, Nathan Mueller, Jonathan Mclnness, and Nicole Cusson; 5 great grandchildren; and 1 brother: Ramon (Judith) Holtz of Medford, Oregon. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.