OBITUARY: Emma Josephine (Sollien) Holtan, 1902-2004, Worth Co., Iowa

[Adapted from Northwood Anchor obituary, March 17, 2004]





                         Emma Josephine Holtan
                     
Emma Josephine Holtan, 101, of Northwood, died Monday, March 8, 2004,
at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood, Iowa.

Funeral services were Thursday at the First Lutheran Church,
Northwood, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating.  Burial was
in the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood.

Conner Colonial Chapel, Northwood, was in charge of the arrangements.

Emma Josephine Holtan was born on Dec. 13, 1902, in rural Decorah,
Iowa, the daughter of Stryk and Christina (Juelson) Sollien.  She
attended rural school in Decorah and graduated from Luther Academy
in Albert Lea, Minnesota, in 1922.  After completing her schooling
she taught in rural Freeborn County, Minnesota, from 1922 until 1936.

She married Hamlin Holtan on July 8, 1936 in rural Decorah.  After
their marriage they moved to Northwood where Emma worked as a clerk
at O'Bruns Department store for 20 years until her retirement.

She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and quilting, but her great love
and enjoyment was her family and grandchildren.

She was a member of first Lutheran Church in Northwood, and was
very active within the church being a member of her church circle,
was superintendent of the Sunday school for many years, as well
as a member of other clubs in the church.  She was also a member
of the Simper Fidelis Club in Northwood, and was an active volunteer
at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.  Emma was also very
actively involved with other church and civic organizations in
Northwood.

Left to cherish her memory is her daughter, Dorothy Bye and her
husband Bill of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a son, Robert Holtan and
his wife Judy of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren, Bill Bye Jr,
and his wife Judie of Mukwonago, Wisconsin, Julie Mathews and her
husband Kevin of Denver, Colorado, and Haven Holtan and her fiance
Eric Seabel of Denver, Colorado; two great-grandsons, Owen and Cole
Mathews both of Denver, Colorado; as well as many nieces and nephews;
as well as other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Hamlin who died
on Jan. 15, 1988; two brothers, and four sisters.



         Copyright 2004, K. L. Kittleson