Stanley Burkett Holzhauer

Stanley Burkett Holzhauer, 94, died at home on Wednesday, October 16th, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Francis Elizabeth “Betty” Holzhauer; son Gregory Holzhauer and step-son, Otis Johnson; grandchildren Maike Pacheco and Andrew Holzhauer; two great-grandchildren, Eva and Natalie Pacheco; four step-grandsons, Nathan, Kirpal, Yusuf and Qayyum Johnson; his brother, Marvin Holzhauer, sister Genevieve Schmidt, and sister Marthalee Wuebbels; as well as many close friends.

Stan was born on a hot and humid day, August 28th, 1925, to Martin and Olinda Holzhauer in Breese, Illinois. He weighed in at 13 lbs., 2 oz. His parents were farmers, using horses and mules in the fields, without electricity, indoor plumbing or running water. After graduating from high school in Breese in 1943, he joined the Navy during WWII. His military service included landing in the 5th assault wave with the 5th Marine Division at Iwo Jima where he saw the flag raised on Mt. Suribachi, participating in the liberation of the Philippines and being present in Tokyo Bay when the peace treaty was signed, ending the war. He had the unforgettable experience of walking on the land where the city of Hiroshima was destroyed by the atomic bomb on Aug. 12, 1945.

He attended Illinois State University at Normal on the GI Bill, receiving a B.S. in Education and later an M.S. in Education Administration and an M.S. in Science Teaching from Illinois Wesleyan University. He did additional graduate work in genetics at the University of California, Berkeley. After teaching biology in the Bloomington Illinois Public School System for 18 years, he became the Dean of Students for 12 more years until retirement in 1980. His peers voted him as the Outstanding Dean of Students in the State of Illinois in 1977.

He married Betty Klemm Johnson on June 24th, 1954. They were married for 65 happy and wonderful years, always together at home, travel and work. He and Betty hosted numerous foreign exchange students who continued in relationship with them throughout their lives. They also sponsored a Romanian 7th grader, supplying his needs through his master’s degree.

Stan moved to Northern Michigan in 1980 to pursue his interest in agriculture and nature. Family, gardening, bird watching, woodcarving, genealogy, photography, cross-country skiing and traveling the US and many foreign countries enlivened his life. In Michigan, he served on the Munson Hospital Corporate Board, Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and the Milton Township Planning Commission. He was a Master Mason, Elk Rapids Lodge and a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church, Elk Rapids. His passions were teaching the Old and New Testament, conducting mission trips to serve the indigenous people of mountain villages in Mexico and helping others in need. His favorite Old Testament verse was: Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15).

Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m from the First Presbyterian Church, 404 Spruce Street, Elk Rapids with Pastor Jim Porter officiating. Burial will be held at Milton Township Cemetery.

Contributions in Stan’s name can be made to the Mission Endowment Fund or the Armonia Designated Fund c/o First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids.