John D. Holzer, 1935-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Oct 12, 2021 | 9:58 AM / 584 views
Mass of Christian Burial for John D. Holzer, 85, of Timber Lake will be at 10 AM, Thursday, October 7, 2021, at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial will be at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A prayer service will be at 6 PM, Wednesday at the church with visitation at 5 PM. John passed away Friday, October 1, 2021, at the Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.
John D. Holzer, 85, formerly of Timber Lake, passed away on Oct. 1, 2021 at Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, SD. John was born at home on the farm south of Timber Lake to Frank, Sr. and Elizabeth (Goldade) Holzer on Oct. 23, 1935 and lived on the home place his whole life until he moved to the nursing home in Mobridge, prior to his move to Lemmon.
John attended school at Stoick Country School; he and his brother Frank often talked about walking to school (“both ways up hill”). As a young adult, John worked for several ranchers in the area (Jim O’Leary, Elmer Hellesund, Francis Reinbold) and also worked for Fred Joens in Pasco, WA for a short time, driving a grain truck. He did these jobs until he began his own dairy business with his brother Frank, eventually buying the land from their father and brother Tony.
John was a talented musician, teaching himself to play guitar, steel guitar, fiddle, and harmonica. John had a band called The Nite Owls with his brother Frank and cousin Johnny Goldade, and they often played at area weddings, at Pepsi’s Café and Lounge in Timber Lake, and at Hofer’s in Glad Valley. They played a variety of music, including polkas, waltzes, and old time country (and a rare rock classic). Some of his favorite songs included “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johny Cash, “Kiss An Angel Good Morning” by Charley Pride, “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, “Proud Mary” by Creedance Clearwater Revival and “Sing Me Back Home” by Merle Haggard. He was shy about his music. When he first started playing he had to play with his back to the crowd. He often wouldn’t begin singing until late into the evening. Family members believe John was the best pedal steel guitar player and could put any Nashville musician to shame.
John was a basic, hard-working man who enjoyed a beautiful car and surrounding himself with family. He was quick with a good story or joke. He agreed with his brother Mike that, when someone would reminisce about the “good old days,” they would say, “What good old days?” After he retired from ranching, he became the resident mouse trapper on the farm, and he was in charge of the “trap line” (“I hate the miserable meeces”).
John was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Johannas, Tony (Wilma and Margaret), Michael, Regina (Allen) Hellesund, Steve, Joseph, Adam (Geraldine), Anna (Francis) Reinbold, Frank Jr., and a baby girl, brother-in-law, Kenneth Bailey and several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his sister Marian Bailey, sisters-in-law Ange Holzer, Alice Holzer, Lois Holzer, and Evelyn Holzer, and numerous nieces and nephews.