Susie Toots Irene Holstein

Susie (Toots) Irene Holstein, 97, passed Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the home of her daughter at Thermopolis, Wyoming. She was born on November 5, 1915, to Leon (Lennie) Lee May and Susie Nelson May at Newman Grove, Madison County, Nebraska. Susie was interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado, on Monday, November 19. She was the ninth of ten children, and her father passed away when Susie was four. Her brother, Chuck, could not say “Susie”. He gave her the nickname of “Toots” and it stuck with her throughout her life. Susie graduated from Hooper High School in Nebraska in 1934. She was a class officer every year and enjoyed sports. She played softball, basketball and volleyball, and she lettered in basketball. She earned a full scholarship to a commercial school in Omaha but could not attend because there was no money for books or room and board.

She started working in junior high school at the local movie theater popping corn on Wednesday and Saturday nights. She was paid 10 cents a night, allowed to eat as much popcorn as she wanted, watch all the movies and to bring her mother to the theater. She also worked as a nursemaid for the local doctor’s children and did light housekeeping.

In 1936, Susie married Vincent Charles Moser. They lived at North Bend, Nebraska. They moved to Rosemead, California in 1938. Susie went to work for Mr. Wigolsky in his grocery mercantile store at Rosemead. She was the Bakery Manager and relieved everyone at the registers and assisted the bookkeeper. There were three children from this union: Vincent Leonard (wife, Betty Jean) Moser born in 1937, Mrs. Elizabeth Jane (husband, William) Mitchell born in 1939 and Raymond Dale (wife, Frances) Moser born in 1940.

Susie moved back to Blair, Nebraska, and in 1946 she married Chris Edward Holstein. There were three children from this union: Mrs. Laura Jean (husband, Eugene) Kuhman born in 1947, Chris Edward (wife, Kristyn) Holstein, Jr. born in 1948, and Russell Lavern (wife, Debbie) Holstein born in 1949. Chris and Sue raised their oldest grandson, Jeffery Scott (wife, Ethel) Moser, who was born in 1957. Chris’ job took them to Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming and Illinois. Susie and her sister Rosa operated The Barley Fork restaurant in Yorkville, Illinois for several years. Susie and Chris retired to Mission, Texas in 1975 where they enjoyed many years of sunshine. They lived in a retirement park and were busy working in the park office, organizing park activities such as the pancake breakfast to earn money for the recreation center, dancing, playing instruments in the park kitchen band, and playing pinochle.

Susie was preceded in death by her husband, Chris, parents, six brothers, three sisters, oldest son, and two great grandsons. She is survived by three sons, two daughters, nine grandsons, six granddaughters, nineteen great grandsons, sixteen great granddaughters, nine great-great grandsons and three great-great granddaughters. This warm-hearted, witty, bright, considerate and generous woman loved all of her extended family and will be missed by all.