Lanny F. Holzer, of Jordan passed away peacefully on March 5, 2020 at Oak Terrace Senior Living in Jordan at the age of 90. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10 from 4-7pm at Ballard Sunder Funeral and Cremation in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial is Wednesday, March 11 at 11am with visitation one-hour prior at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Full military honors will be provided by the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard. Pall-bearers will be Lanny’s grandchildren. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Jordan.
On July 31, 1929 Lanny Francis Holzer was born to Theodore and Rose (Busch) Holzer. Lanny was the middle child with older brother, Roman and younger sister, Armella. Growing up on the Holzer farm was special to Lanny as he never lost track of his roots and the importance of family. At a young age, Lanny was faced with many tragedies, including his brother’s death at a young age and nearly losing his own life during the Armistice Day blizzard and also the family dwelling burning down. From these setbacks, Lanny learned to persevere during life’s tough times.
Following his graduation from New Prague high school, Lanny remained working on the family farm but then chose to enlist into the military. He proudly served in the United States Army, spending most of his enlisted time in Alaska. Patriotism was always near to his heart and later in life was a long-time volunteer for the Jordan Veteran’s Honor Guard, where he always carried the American flag with pride.
Theresa Svoboda had a good friend, Armella Holzer that she worked with. Armella pulled out a military photo of her brother, Lanny, and Theresa said “That is the man for me”. After their initial meeting at the New Prague ballroom and six months of courtship, wedding bells chimed on August 30, 1956 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New Market. From that union, David, Mark, Mary and Pete were born and life became full for the newlyweds.
As a family they enjoyed their annual trips to Island View Resort in Richmond, MN where they spent a week together fishing, swimming and playing on the beach. Lanny made sure the kids had a snowmobile and “scamper” go kart for entertainment around the yard. As a family, they always enjoyed their annual trips to Perkins on Easter. Lanny was proud to coach the St. Benedict baseball team especially as it involved his boys. Life was complete when the grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived—he was known as the “whisperer” when it came time to calm the kids down.
Lanny and Terry enjoyed their travel to such places as Egypt, Africa, Thailand, Alaska, Germany, Amsterdam, Italy, the Holy Land and Vatican where they met Pope John Paul II.
Lanny had lots of LIKES: hunting, fishing, golf, Threshing Bee, Polka music, “shop parties”, his deer shack, chopping wood, fixing things, preserving the land and his love for all the dogs he’s ever had.
He started his working career farming the family farm, then worked a few years at Continental Grain. He spent 25 years at Metropolitan Mosquito Control where he enjoyed mentoring many of the younger workers. He enjoyed his “retirement job” cutting grass at Creeks bend Golf Course. Lanny was a chaplain for the American Legion where he would lead prayer and was proud of his St. Benedict Catholic Church upbringing where he was a long-time parishioner and church trustee.
A humble, kind, and gentle man of strong faith, Lanny will be sorely missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Terry Holzer; children, David (Chris) Holzer, Mark (Ann) Holzer, Mary (Marty) Pekarna, Pete (Kelly) Holzer; grandchildren, Nikki (Bryan) Erkkila, Mandy (Karl) Bitschenauer, Ryan (Valerie) Holzer, Justine (Ryan) Hagness, Ali Pekarna, Jake Pekarna, Sunny Holzer, Ruby Holzer; great-grandchildren, Parker and Morgan Erkkila, Lilli, Evalyn, Everett, Luca and Greta Bitschenauer, Cam and Delaney Holzer, Lanny and Dylan Hagness; many relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Rose (Busch) Holzer; brother, Roman Holzer; sister, Armella (Dr. Roger) Rynda.
The family would like to thank Oak Terrace Senior Living staff for their loving care of Lanny.
