Stanford E. Holtan

FOREST CITY - Stanford Holtan, age 90 of Forest City, died Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Forest City.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, December 12 at Petersen Lund Funeral Home 505 N Clark Street in Forest City and will continue an hour prior to service at the church.

Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City with Graveside Military Rites provided by Forest City American Legion Post 121.

Stanford Holtan was born in 1921 to Elmer and Sadie (Suby) Holtan. He was the eldest of four children. He spent the first few years of his life living on a farm three miles northeast of Leland. The family moved to his grandparent's farm for four years, then to a farm north of Hanlontown. The families have been connected to Beaver Creek Church and Winnebago Church.

Stanford graduated from Hanlontown High School. After high school Stanford attended Waldorf College and St Olaf. It was at this time that his history started at Immanuel. He sang with the Waldorf Choir the day of the Procession from the old Immanuel Lutheran church to the new building in 1941. In 1942 Stanford enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was a flight engineer on a B-17. Stanford knew he was going to have a chance to go home, so he called Ruth on a Sunday and asked her how she felt about getting married the following week...June 25, 1944, right after D-Day. Following the war Ruth and Stanford purchased their farm North of Forest City along the Winnebago River. Stanford sang in the church choir for almost 60 years. Stanford and Ruth raised their eight children and were active in church and continued to show their love of Waldorf College in many ways. Stanford has been active in Farm Bureau, the Republican Party and Sons Of Norway. In 2000, through their continued commitment to the community, they moved to Heritage Park and embarked upon a new adventure. Stanford has worked hard on the trolley, mowing and finding volunteers for the numerous projects. He said many times he was so pleased to be a part of preserving history for the years to come. Throughout his life he has been an artist in many different ways including painting, whittling, weaving, carving, welding, sculpting and music.

Stanford is survived by his wife, Ruth (Tweeten), his brother Rolfe Holtan and his youngest sister Dorothy Heller. Stanford and Ruth were blessed with eight children. Jerry, Audrey, Keith, Phil, Paul, Steve, John and Ron. The Holtans are the proud grandparents of 10 grandsons and 10 granddaughters and 8 great-grandchildren. Jerry and Donna Holtan of Ames, IA son, Jason and Jennifer Holtan (Ames) and their sons, Zach, Tyler and Isaac. Audrey and Steve Olmstead of Minneapolis, MN, daughter, Sue Anne and Tom Hadacek (Forest City) and their daughters Isabelle and Josephine, Audrey's daughter, Casey and Todd Sink (AR) and their daughters, Kylie and Lexi. Keith Holtan and his friend, Jacalyn of Minneapolis, MN, son, Ross and Nina (DC), son, Grant and fiancée Brooke (NY), and daughter, Jackee and fiancee Matt (MN). Rev. Phil and Merrie Sue Holtan, of Perham, MN, daughter, Elise (Germany), son Dr. Mark and Dr. Haley (MN), and daughter Johanna (Scotland). Paul and Helen of Savage, MN, son, Andrew and Dr. Sarah and baby Helena (WI), daughter Miranda (MN), and son, Nicholas (MN). Steve and Donna Holtan of Morris, IL, daughter, Stephanie and Paul Weghorst (IL) and daughter Samantha (IL). Dr. John and Eileen Holtan of Love's Park, IL, son, Luke (WI), son, Dr. Matt (FL), and daughter, Emily and Ben Abeyta (WI). Dr. Ron and Pam Holtan of Stanhope, IA, daughter, Kristine and John Hodges (Bondurant), son Michael (Cedar Falls), and son Brandon and Amanda (Des Moines).

Stanford is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Sadie (Suby) Holtan, his younger sister, Ardith Halvorsen, his sister-in-law Marietta (Ness) Holtan and daughter-in-law Linda Haugen Holtan (Paul).