Obituary of Barbara L. Holtz

Surrounded by her family at HRMC, Barbara L. Holtz, age 76, went home to Our Lord, Jesus Christ on May 13, 2015. Barbara was born February 6, 1939 to Alma E. Miller and Gerald D. Whitefield in Quincy, IL. She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald in 1944; mother, Alma (Whiz); and step-father, R.J. Stewart in 2004. Barbara attended school in Lima, IL until 1947 when she moved with her mother, sister, and grandfather to El Monte, CA to work the family egg farm where she attended school until moving to Pomona, CA. This is where she would meet the love of her life, Tom. Barbara married Thomas E. Holtz on February 5, 1955. Together they had 3 wonderful children and had just celebrated 60 great years together. Besides rearing her children, Barb was a representative for Avon where she utilized her great rapport with people. After her youngest child entered Jr. High School, Barb entered the medical billing field working for Pathology Medical Group until her retirement in 1990. Barb loved life. In her younger years Barb and Tom enjoyed dining out, dancing, and travel. In the mid-70's Tom and Barb started coming out to Lake Havasu City to boat and spend time with family. In 1993, after Tom's retirement, they moved to Lake Havasu City where they enjoyed dining and socializing with friends from Mount Olive Lutheran Church, the Golden K Kiwanis and Lake Havasu Yacht Club. Recently, Barb and Tom had taken a cruise to Alaska and attended the marriage of their granddaughter on the east coast which included spending time with her cousin, Pat who is like a sister. Barbara was an active member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church making wonderful friends and serving on the fellowship board for 10 years and participating in the altar guild for 20 years. She was also active on the prayer chain. Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Thomas E. Holtz; daughters, Patricia A. (Scott) Schafroth of LHC, Lynn E. (Leonard) Shaw of Littleton, CO; son, Thomas E. Holtz, Jr. of LHC; sister, DeAnne (Rod) Higgins of Escondido, CA; grandsons, Aaron Schafroth, Jason Schafroth of LHC; granddaughter, Kelsey (Dan) Daughtery of El Segundo, CA; cousins, Patricia (Mel) Kuntz of Wilton, CT, Mike Crouch of Seymour, IN, John Crouch of Chicago, IL; in-laws, Keith (Sue) Holtz of Tucson, AZ, Gary (Mary) Holtz of Susanville, CA, Mary Lou Holtz of Hemet, CA; numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara will be missed by all those who knew and loved her. She would say she had a great life and had no regrets. She would want all those who loved her to have peace in that knowledge and be happy. A memorial service will be held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 6th at 10:30 AM. Services were placed in the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory. Thoughts and condolences may be sent to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com.