Roger Holthaus

Roger Dean Holthaus died unexpectedly, November 20, 2014 in Purcell, Oklahoma at the age of 68 years 6 months 9 days.

Roger was born May 11, 1946 to Harlan and Bernice (Hageman) Holthaus in Manchester, Iowa. Roger was raised in Iowa, graduating from Strawberry Point High School. He then graduated from barber college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Roger later served in the US Army as an artillery surveyor in the 4th Infantry Division, serving in Viet Nam. He earned his Expert Marksman and Viet Nam Service Metal with Bronze Service Star. After being honorably discharged, Roger worked for Pinkerton Security, where he received several awards and Secret clearance from the Department of Defense. Roger was raised around horses, especially quarter horses. He was employed for Littleton Big Animal Clinic in Colorado. During his employment, they sent him to the east coast, where he worked with one of the great jumping horses, Calypso, who won the gold in the 1984 Olympics Equestrian, and was featured on the Sports Illustrated Cover. He said this was the greatest horse he ever worked with. He also worked for Helmsley Farms in Versailles, Kentucky. Locally, he worked for the Bohner Training Center with his sister and her husband, Jody and Verle who own the center. Roger also worked with several local veterinarians, until he retired, namely Jim Baily, Joe Carter and Pat Young.

Roger is preceded in death by his father, Harlan Holthaus. Survivors include his mother, Bernice of Iowa; wife, Joan of the home; Daughter, Kerri Lynn Van Horne of Colorado; stepson, Mark Chest of Pennsylvania; stepdaughter, Lori Dover of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Justin Dover and Lisa Dover; sisters, Roxie Basten of Iowa, Bonnie Cook of Iowa, Jody and husband, Verle of Oklahoma; nephews, Steven Cook, Michael Cook, Sean Wood all of Iowa, and numerous other relatives and friends. Memorial Contributions may be made in Rogers name to the WildCare Foundation, 7601 84th Street, Noble, Oklahoma 73068.