John Holzhauser
October 30, 1933 ~ January 29, 2023
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John Paul Holzhauser, 89, of Gettysburg, passed away January 29, 2023, at Gilbert, AZ in the House of the Valley Hospice after 80 days of illness. His heart had worn out by years of loving people and life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 6, 2023, at the church with visitation one-hour prior.
John Paul Holzhauser was born October 30, 1933, at Plankinton, SD to John Joseph and Elizabeth (Kesel) Holzhauser as their eighth of nine children. He grew up in the White Lake area and attended school until the eighth grade. He started working at an early age and continued to work hard throughout the rest of his life.
On June 2, 1955, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mitchell, SD he married Patricia Louise Crawford on a very hot day. They would live in the Pukwana, SD area until moving to Agar, SD in 1958 and eventually moved to Gettysburg, SD in 1976. During those years they were blessed with four children. John Joseph was born in 1956, Michael James in 1957, Craig Lee in 1960 and Paula Rae in 1964.
He was employed as a heavy equipment operator by Sully County Highway Department for 16 years and then by the South Dakota Department of Transportation for another 18 years. He worked many other jobs during those years as well. He retired in 1994 with a desire to be away from the snow and cold, therefore he and Pat began traveling to Arizona and did so for the next 29 years.
John and Pat had many great memories including when their son was ordained a Catholic priest, Fr. Joe Holzhauser, Pierre SD, when their son Michael, Pierre SD, married Ann Kratochvill, when their son Craig, Houston TX, married Kate Tooman and when Paula, Madelia MN, married Doug Paterson. As a grandfather, John enjoyed his eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. John along with Pat were known to visit a gambling casino over the years. Since John and Pat were members of large families, they had many siblings and extended families that John cherished.
John was very open to engage in conversation with everyone he encountered. As a result, he will be missed by many, but his Catholic faith was very important to him and carried him through the joys and sorrows of life. It was important that his bride of 67 years and children be with him for the Masses and the Sacraments during the final days. Requiescat in pace!
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with John’s arrangements.
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Many thoughts and prayers to all of John’s family. He was one of a kind and I absolutely loved his coffee days at J&B’s back in the day. He will be missed by many!
Our family wishes to send condolences to John's family. Keep your memories close to your hearts as you celebrate John's life and his love for his family, the church and his Lord. God bless all, of you.
So sorry to hear. He was a wonderful individual, with great sense of humor. I remember by dad’s and John’s conversations which were very entertaining!! My condolences to his family.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.
John was a great brother in law with a sense of humor and quick wit we all enjoyed. May the angels welcome him with a very big Hug! We will miss you and remember you always.
John was a standup guy
He will be missed by more people than you realize
John was a very standup guy
He will be missed by a
Lot of people probably by more than we realize
My prayers and sympathy to all of John’s wonderful family.
John loved his ‘double’ life in Gettysburg and in Mesa, AZ. He enjoyed a multitude friends in both places.
I will miss his “31 anyone?” He will be missed by all his ‘in-laws. Jan
Our sympathy to you. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat & families….. So saddened to hear this news. Pat & John were one of the first people I met in Agar. They babysat Gwen, they loaned us their pick-up camper so we could go to the hills, they were the best. I sure will miss giving him a little crap hollering out the back door of Quietts Corner, even though he gave it right back. He will be greatly missed.. God Bless all……..
Pat and family. I am sorry to hear of John Paul's passing. If you remember you were one of my elementary teachers in country school. Our family has also been very good friends with the Holzhauser Family all these years. You have so many cherished memories among your family. Take care and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
My prayers to your family.
Pat and Family,
We can't remember a time when John did not have a smile on his face. You could tell that he valued time with family and friends more than anything else. He will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Holzhauser family.
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers ❤️ are with you 🙏
We are so sorry for the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you 🙏 ❤️ all
For Joe, so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. May God bless you and your family with peace and comfort during this difficult time. Andy & Cindy Meyers St Mary’s Parish Aberdeen
So sorry for your loss! John was such a sweet man. Will miss seeing him working in his yard & waving when I drove by or exchanging a heartfelt handshake in church. Prayers to the family!
Pat and family, So sorry for your loss of a great man! John, Howard and my dad are all up there drinking coffee and discussing the world!!!! Love to all.
May God forever bless his soul