David L. Holtman

David Louis Holtman was born on December 9, 1931, near Creighton, Nebraska, to Louis and Aurelia Brandt Holtman.

He was raised on the family farm in Meadow Grove, Nebraska, and then moved to Mill Grove, Missouri, where he also lived on a farm. He attended school in a one-room school in Mill Grove.

He was president of his graduating class in 1949 for Princeton High School. After graduating he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. He entered the U.S. Army in 1952 and served for three years as a Sergeant.

David was employed by the Rock Island Railroad. He worked his way up from "grunt" to lineman, and then head of communication for the north half of Rock Island. When they ceased to operate, he was employed as an industrial mechanic for the rest of his working career.

In 1986 he married Patricia "Pat" Snider-Carr in Des Moines. They became one very happy family with five children, Liz, Joann, Charlie, Jeanette and Lavenia. David became "Papa" to all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They celebrated 23 years of marriage on August 23rd.

He married Maria Raquel Rodriguez de Herraras in 1955. They had three children, David Louis, Jr. "Davey," Elizabeth "Liz," and Charlie.

David was preceded in death by his first wife, Maria Raquel and their son, Davey in 1972; his father in 1977; his mother in 1995; sister, Corrinne Holtman Alexander in 1951; sister, Dorothy in 1931; and his brother, Robert in 2007.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; his children, Liz Pruisner of Norwalk, IA, Charlie of Des Moines, Joann Mundy of Des Moines, Jeanette McClain of Des Moines and Lavenia Heckman of Mitchellville; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; brothers, Paul of Sumner, MO, Roger of Dunlap, MO and Gary of Columbus, MS; and his sisters, Joyce Courter and Marie Boyle both of Trenton, MO.

David was an active member of Eastwood Church of the Open Bible in Des Moines. He served on the Board of Directors.

David will always be remembered for his wonderful singing voice, appreciation of books and knowledge, doing all the crossword puzzles in ink, large loving hands and giving heart.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 23, 2009, at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Eastwood Church of the Open Bible. Burial will be held at Resthaven Cemetery in Trenton, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to Iowa Hospice, 5650 NW Johnston Dr., Ste. E, Johnston, IA 50131, or to the family.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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