Virgil Holthusen

Rock Rapids, IA Virgil Holthusen, age 84 of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, November 12, 2010 at Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, Nov. 15th at Jurrens Funeral Home in Rock Rapids, IA, with Rev. Dan Kordahl officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Sunday, Nov. 14th from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, with family present from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Virgil Holthusen was born December 4, 1925 in Lyon County, Iowa, the son of William and Freida (Junge) Holthusen. He attended country school and helped with the family farm. He entered the United States Army on January 9, 1945, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged on November 17, 1946 and returned home to farm with his dad and brother. He then farmed by himself near Doon until 1965. He also worked in construction for his brother, Arnold at Holthusen Construction, Hogan Construction and lastly, Clasen Excavating. At one time he owned and operated a tavern currently known as Sportsmans Lounge. After being diagnosed with lung cancer Virgil retired. He was a member of the Van Anne-Fields Post No. 6960 VFW and the Rex Strait Post No. 103 American Legion and the Rock Rapids Gun Club. He enjoyed watching sports, such as football and NASCAR. He is survived by his sister, Lucille Ripley of Luverne, MN; a sister-in-law, Eileen Holthusen of Albaquerque, NM; nieces and nephews, Tammy (Kevin) Small of Le Mars, IA, Marla (LaMont) Freese of Rock Rapids, IA, Kathy Holthusen of Rock Rapids, IA, Keith (Linda) Holthusen of Albuquerque, NM, Kay (Tim) Reardon of Edgewood, NM, Kristi King of Edgewood, NM, Susan LeSage of Florida, Bob (Marie) Toms of Albia, IA, Nancy (Lonnie) Amick of Johnston, IA, Chuck (Amy)Meiburg of Rock Rapids, IA, Bill (Deborah)Ripley of Euless, TX, Mike (Judy) Ripley of Fairmont, MN and Jim Ripley of The Colony, TX ; and many other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Frieda Holthusen; four brothers, infant Alvin, Arnold, Wilmer and Vernon Holthusen; two sisters, Selma Meiburg and Arlene Toms; and three nephews, Alan Holthusen, Rodney Holthusen and Doug Toms .