Karl W. Holz
Holz, Karl W.
5 Jun 1924 - 1 Jul 2011
Karl was born, June 5, 1924, at Memphis, NE and died, July 1, 2011, at
Lincoln, NE, at the age 87.
Memorial service were, Wednesday, July 6, 2011 ~ 2:00 PM at First Christian
Church, Ashland, NE. Inurnment with Military Honors by American Legion Post
#129 at Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, NE.
Visitation: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 ~ 5:00-800 PM, Marcy Mortuary.
Memorials to: First Christian Church, American Legion Post #129, Ashland
Cemetery Directory and Improvement Committee.
Karl William Holz was born on the family farm north of Memphis, NE on June
5, 1924 to Fritz and Sylvia (Wing) Holz. The eldest of 9 children brought
into this family, Karl attended grade school at District #16 school and
worked on the family farm as a young boy. He attended high school one year
at Mead and one year at Wahoo. As the nation witnessed the cold reality of
World War II, Karl worked at the Mead Ordinance Plant until he reached the
enlistment age. On February 19, 1943, Karl was drafted into the US Army. He
served in the European Theater and saw combat in Italy, France and Germany.
Mount Casino, Anzio, and the Battle of the Bulge are noteworthy engagements
of which Karl was involved and survived. He was separated from the Army in
1945. Upon returning from the war Karl sought out the young girl that he had
asked to wait for him and on July 7, 1946. he was united in marriage to
Dorothy (Dot) L. Root.
To this marriage, four children were born; Kathy, Bill, Tom and Jim. Karl
worked with his dad on the farm until 1950 and then worked construction in
Mead until 1956. After 3 years living in Plattsmouth, he returned the family
to Ashland where he and Dot raised their children and a large garden. Living
in Ashland lent close proximity to both the Holz and Root families and Karl
and Dot hosted many family events at their home on Silver Street.
In 1956, Karl began working as a security guard at Western Electric until
his retirement in 1983. Upon his retirement Karl was very active in American
Legion Post 129, ensuring the flags were put up for all occasions and
delivering medical equipment to ill or injured vets. He was elected to rank
of post Commander in 1986-87 and Karl achieved lifetime membership. Karl
also was fish fry chairman for 2 years for the Legion Fish Fry and served as
deacon for 4 years at First Christian Church. He helped with the
bloodmobiles and served as the arresting officer for the Jaycees jailhouse.
Retirement also gave him more time to spend in his beloved garden where he
grew surplus vegetables and was always giving away bags or wheelbarrows full
of produce. He also fixed many lawn mowers and small motors as a hobby. In
1996, Karl was crowned the King of Stir-up days at the annual city wide
event. He seemed to enjoy all that he did and brought happiness to everyone
he met.
Karl was rejoined with those who passed before him on July 1, 2011 at St.
Elizabeth Regional Medical Center in Lincoln, NE at the age of 87 years. He
was a member of First Christian Church, American Legion Post #129, VFW Post
#9776 and the 40 & 8.
Karl leaves behind a daughter, Kathy, and her husband Charles Williams;
sons, Bill and wife Carrie, all of Ashland: Tom and wife Linda of Waverly;
and Jim and wife Juelle of Lincoln; siblings, Paul (Bev) and Gerry of
Springfield, Fred of Arkansas, Bob (Betty) of Ashland, Maryann Cornell of
Ashland, and Joy (Rodger) Osburn, Greenwood; ten grandchildren, twenty two
great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife Dot; his parents; sister Shirley
Fundeburg and infant sister Delores Holz; great grandchildren Maclay and
Mckenzie Williams; sisters-in-law Shirley Holz and Alice Holz.
Karl was a guard at Western Electric, retiring in 1987.
Marcy Mortuary
Ashland, NE, 402-944-3343
