Walter Bernard Holthaus, age 89, of Riverside, California passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Walter was born in Chicago, IL to Janina Tyl and Joseph B. Holthaus on September 11, 1935. The Holthaus family consisted of 8 children.
Walter attended St. Mary's Central High School Carlyle IL, and earned his Associate of Arts Degree at Riverside City College in 1978. He worked on the Family Farm until he joined the Navy in 1955 to 1957. Moved to Riverside, CA out of his discharge from the Navy in San Diego. Secured a job at Rohr Industries about 1 mile from where they lived, with help from his Father In-Law Alex Robles on October 21, 1957 and retired from Rohr in April 2001 after 44 years. He was given an honorary Service Commendation of employment for 45 years due to all of the overtime hours that he was able to work. In the 1960’s Walter started his own business, Walt’s Tractor Service providing weed abatement to owners of empty lots and fields around the Riverside area. He ran this business until all the open fields and lots disappeared with developments moving in, sometime in the early 2000’s. He raised beef cows to feed his family until around 1980. In some of the empty fields he would seed, grow, cut and bale hay to feed his cows before discing them under.
Walter attended Catholic Church in St. Anthony’s Beckemeyer, IL. He and Bessie were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on Indiana Ave, in Riverside in Aug. 30, 1958 which was a part of St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church was closed in the 1990’s and attended St. Thomas the Apostle Church ever since. In his church history. He went to church every day after his graveyard shift at Rohr up until he could not drive any more December 4th of 2020.
Walter belonged to Knights of Columbus and earned a 3rd Degree Honorary Life Membership for Council #12213. He helped with the Soup Kitchen at Queen of Angels Church and did various other projects for them also. Walter attended classes to become a CCD Teacher in 1966 from Reverend George Oiler and Sister Theresa OLVM. He co-taught at St. Thomas for 5 years with his mother in-law Sally Robles. Walter helped at the Christmas Tree lot with the Knights of Columbus and also participated working the World Famous St. Thomas Fish Fry every Friday during Lent for many years. He also helped with the recycling program for fundraising.
Walter is survived by his wife, Bessie Elizabeth Holthaus; his daughter Debbie Woodward; his son Don Holthaus; his son John Holthaus; his daughter Janina Vargas; and his son Ron Holthaus; his sister Joann Korkenmeier of Trenton, Illinois, his brother Eddie Holthaus of Highland, Illinois and his brother David Holthaus of Highland, Illinois. Lydia-Ann Holthaus – Sister In-Law Riverside CA, Lorraine Zuniga Sister In-Law Riverside CA, Rosie Diaz Sister In-Law Riverside, CA
Walter was preceded in death by his father Joseph B. Holthaus and his mother Janina Tyl and Alex Robles- Father In-Law, Sally Robles-Mother In-Law Riverside CA, Dolores Schneider- Sister, Carlyle IL, Henry Holthaus-Brother, Escondido CA, Charles Holthaus-Brother, Belleville IL, Alvin Holthaus- Brother, Centralia IL, Adolph (Sonny) Schneider-Brother in-Law, Carlyle IL, Arnold Korkenmeier-Brother In-Law, Trenton IL, Mike Robles-Brother In-Law, Riverside CA, Alex Jr. Robles-Brother In-Law, Riverside CA, Joe Robles-Brother In-Law, Riverside CA
Walter also leaves behind to cherish his memory, Grandchildren- Amanda Koontz, Alan Woodward, Alyssa Ashley, Dustin Holthaus, Amy Holthaus, Timothy Holthaus, David Myers, Jami Elizabeth Holthaus, Melissa Van Vlasselaer, Crystalyn Vargas, Vanessa Perez, Davi Muraska, Hannah Woodard, Hunter Holthaus. Julia and Jada.
Great Grandchildren- Andrew, Matthew and Emma Koontz. Warren, Evelyn, Christopher Woodward, Ethan and Autumn Holthaus, Kayoree, Angelina, John Benton, Cambria and Atlas Holthaus. Maximus Perez, Wesley Woodard, Abigail Ashley, Baby Girl Ashley, Saige Holthaus, Jema, Jeremy, and Cory, a great great on the way and many, many Nieces and Nephews in various States in the U.S.
A visitation for Walter will be held Monday, July 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, 24145 Barton Road, Loma Linda, California 92354. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle, 3774 Jackson St, Riverside, CA 92503. A committal service will occur Tuesday, July 8, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 12:45 PM at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, 3510 E Washington St, Colton, CA 92324
