David R. Holtze

David R. Holtze, 80, of Sioux City, Iowa, died on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at his residence, surrounded by family, following a lengthy illness. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, with family present after 6p.m. and a prayer service at 7p.m. all at the church. Pallbearers will be David Holtze III, Blake Duerre, Jessie Wavrunek, Stan Sherman Jr., Troy Ahlquist and Scott Taylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Duerre, Stan Sherman, Dr. Jerry Prahl, Dick Jorstad, Marvin Berenstein, Ronald Krage, Mike Moeller and Jack Aalfs. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. David was born on August 16, 1934, to Ruth and Harry Holtze, in Sioux City. In 1952, he graduated from Central High School in Sioux City and attended the University of South Dakota, where he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and met his wife to be, Barbara Duerre. He spent two years in the U. S. Army - Combat Engineers and was stationed in Germany for one year before being honorably discharged in 1958. On December 22, 1958, he married Barbara and they resided in Sioux City where David began his career with his father and brothers at H.S. Holtze Construction Company. David became a partner and officer of the construction company and was involved with the firm, in all phases of the business for over 40 years. He served as the companies' President and CEO from 1991 until his retirement in 2001. He was also an active partner in Midstates Development, a company started with his two brothers in 1971 that manages multi-family apartment housing projects in Iowa and Nebraska. David served as president of the Master Builders of Iowa in 1986. Later in 2002, he received the Build Iowa Award from the Master Builders of Iowa, which exemplifies skill, integrity and responsibility in the construction industry as well as their communities. David not only served as a National Director of the Associated General Contractors, but also worked on several of its many committees. In addition, he also led important labor negotiations for many years on behalf of local construction firms in the Sioux City area. Mr. Holtze gave back to the local community by offering his skills and expertise in business management to the boards of a multitude of Sioux City's organizations. Some of the organizations he dedicated much of his time to included: the Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Trinity Lutheran Church, Wells Fargo Bank, the Industrial Development Council, Siouxland Foundation, Orpheum Theatre Preservation Project, Greater Siouxland and the Sioux City Country Club. He was a life time member of Trinity Lutheran Church and was a former director of the church council. Also David was involved with the capital campaign for the sanctuary renovation. Through the years, David was involved with many construction projects in the area. A few of his favorite projects were; West High School, Gateway Computers, Orpheum Theatre Renovation, Sunrise Manor (formerly the Martin Luther Home), Holy Spirit Retirement Home- Assisted Living, Candlewick and Prestwick Apartments, Brick Replacement Project - Mercy Medical (formerly Marian Health Center), Sudo Manufacturing and Transit Plaza & Indian Hills Shopping Centers. David cherished spending his free time with his many friends. Whether it be socializing at the Abu Bekr Shrine and the Jester's Court or playing golf at the Sioux City Country Club, David's personality was sure to put a smile on their faces. He would also enjoy taking early morning walks, playing tennis, pheasant hunting and fishing. However above everything, David had a strong love of his family; especially his grandchildren. David will be remembered for his strong work ethic, problem solving abilities, communication skills with all of the people that he encountered and his love of life and family. His family will always treasure the memories they shared while traveling together. Grateful for having shared David's life with his wife, Barbara, his son, D. Rex Holtze Jr. and his wife, Michele; three grandchildren: Amanda Holtze, David Holtze III and Anne Holtze and three great grandchildren: Avery, Ace and Axel. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Mark D. Holtze, brothers; Harry S. Holtze Jr. and John S. Holtze, a sister Mary K. Searing and his parents Ruth and Harry S. Holtze Sr. Memorials may be directed in David's name to Holy Spirit Retirement Home, Trinity Lutheran Church, the Master Builders of Iowa Scholarship Fund and Hospice of Siouxland.