Roger Holtan

Roger G. Holtan, 83, formerly of Thor, passed away September 7, 2015 at his home at Springvale Senior Living in Humboldt. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Ullensvang Lutheran Church in Thor with the Rev. Darryl Landsverk officiating. Interment will be in East Ullensvang Cemetery, Thor with full military honors by Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard VFW Post 5240. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
Roger Gilman Holtan was born on May 6, 1932 on the Holtan family farm near Forest City, Iowa. In 1935, they moved to the Opheim Family farm at Thor. Roger attended grade school at Thor and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1950. Roger went onto college at Waldorf where he was involved in choir and football. It was at Waldorf where he met Lois Bakke and the couple was united in marriage on August 8, 1953.
Roger served in the United States Army during the Korean War and following his honorable discharge, returned home where he went to work for Corn Belt. In March of 1956, Roger enrolled in Iowa State University, graduating in 1958 with his Bachelor of Science Degree. He returned to the farm and together with his father, established Holtan Shelling and Trucking. In 1966, he began teaching Industrial Arts and drove a school bus for the Goldfield School District until its merger with Clarion in 1980.
Over the years, Roger has sold Archer Oil products, worked for New York Life, driven a charter bus, and served as a rural mail carrier. He was a long time active member of Ullensvang Lutheran Church and was active in his community serving as Mayor of Thor for over 30 years and on many town and church committees, and enjoyed sharing his gift of vocal music on many occasions. In 1976, he joined the cast of Comedia Musica of Fort Dodge and participated in many performances over 30 years including “Curly” in Oklahoma at the age of 48. He was also a charter member of Eagle Grove Paddle Wheel Players. He was also a member of the Badger Lions Club.
Roger is survived by his children, Randy (Linda) Holtan of Las Vegas, NV, Scott (Anne) Holtan of Coal Valley, IL, Maria (Kurt) Olson of Humboldt; and so-in-law, A.J. Taylor of Forest City; grandchildren, Craig (Lolly) Olson of West Bend, Adam (Megan) Olson of Loveland, CO, Alissa (Mike) Williamson of Charlotte, NC, Brittany (Andy) Struecker of Whittemore, Conner and Cody Holtan of Las Vegas, NV, and Ryan and Tyler Holtan of Coal Valley, IL; great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Julia Olson as well as two more on their way; brothers, Mark (Shirley) Holtan of Thor and Tim (Dixie Long) Holtan of Gilmore City; brother-in-laws, John Omasich of Seattle, WA and Robert Foster of Iowa City; and sister-in-laws, Charlene Bakke of Muscatine and Bonnie Holtan of Holyoke, MA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilman and Edna Holtan; his wife of nearly 60 years, Lois; daughter, Julie; 3 stillborn children, Sara Louise, Angela Kaye, and Thomas Cory; sister, Kay Omasich; sister-in-laws, Cora Foster, Glenice Bakke; and brother-in-laws, Harold Milford and Erling Bakke.