Ilene Marie Holthaus, 93, of Colesburg, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. She was born on November 8, 1926, on the family farm near Colesburg, the daughter of Roy and Wilhemina (Koeneke) Schenke. Ilene attended Oak Grove Country School and was a 1944 graduate of Colesburg High School. She taught country school in rural Colesburg for several years before her marriage.
On May 12, 1951, Ilene was united in marriage to Stanley Holthaus at the Zion Church Parsonage by Reverend McClure. Two children were born to this union. Ilene worked at the Ungs Egg Plant in Luxemburg. She then worked as an assembly line worker at Ertl’s from 1969 until her retirement in 1992. Stanley passed away on April 5, 1975.
As a young girl growing up, Ilene loved animals, especially her horse, Budger. She liked teasing her brother Slim. Ilene loved playing Hucklebuck, Rummy, and Euchre. She also liked solving crossword puzzles. Ilene enjoyed tending to the flowers in her garden. Above all else, Ilene loved her family and spending time with them.
Survivors include her two sons, Gene (Merry) Holthaus of Edgewood and Dennis Holthaus of Colesburg; her four grandchildren, Monica (Steve) Burger of Earlville, Mark Holthaus of Edgewood, Tyler Holthaus of Lamont, and Trent Holthaus of Colesburg; two great-grandsons, Boone Holthaus and Gatlin Holthaus; two nieces, Mari Jo Diesch and Julie Diesch, both of Earlville; and two sisters, Delores Diesch of Earlville, and Betty Rind of Middle Amana.
Ilene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Stanley Holthaus; her brother, Donald Schenke; one nephew, Francis Diesch; and two brothers-in-law, Harold Diesch and Lester Rind.
Ilene’s family would like to extend a special thank you to St. Luke’s Hospital and the Edgewood Convalescent Home for all of their compassionate care.
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