Willard Ernest Holz

Willard Ernest Holz was born on September 2, 1928 and raised on his family farm near Pickrell, Nebraska, where he graduated from Beatrice High School. Growing up in a devout Lutheran family, he was baptized and confirmed in Christ Lutheran Church of Pickrell and was a long-time member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Collins, Colorado until his death.

Will married Irene Duntz in 1948 and moved to Longview, WA where he worked in a sawmill and on the construction of an underground tunnel when his first daughter was born. They returned to Nebraska where his second daughter was born and he enrolled in the University of Nebraska, where he received his BS degree from the College of Agriculture with Honors in Mathematics.

After graduation Will got his first job in Shenandoah, Iowa as a high school agriculture teacher. In the summers he helped his brother-in-law build his sister a house, and then he and his wife built their own house. This experience sparked a construction design passion in him. They moved to Fort Collins where Will enrolled in Colorado State University and graduated with a master's degree in Light Construction and Marketing.

In the early 1960's, he established his company, Homes by Holz, in Fort Collins, CO and soon after his son was born. Will was a talented designer and builder of custom homes and eventually developed a subdivision within the Linden Lake community in Fort Collins. He also built homes in Sterling, Vail, and Breckenridge, CO.

Will cherished his annual elk hunting trips where he camped in the mountains with his son Mike and close friends of many years. For his 70th Birthday he and Mike climbed Long's Peak together. He fondly recalled camping and skiing vacations with his children. Reuniting with relatives at their Holz Family Reunions was another fond memory.

Will and Louise (Lou) Pagani married in 1981, celebrating their 40th anniversary last December. Being an avid outdoorsman and having a love for adventure and travel, Will inspired them both to explore many countries. Their most memorable included one to the Amazon, a three-month road trip through Australia and New Zealand, and a one-month trip through Greece.

As an active member of the Downtown Fort Collins Club, he participated in their annual Chipping for Charities. He also was a member of Redeemer's Men's Bible Study.

He and Lou spent 30 years enjoying their winters in Naples, Florida entertaining family, friends and going to the beach. Here he spent his early years playing golf and tennis. In his later years, his smile told you he was ready for a game of Pinochle.

Will is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Harmke Holz; brothers, Bruno, Otto and Alfred and sisters, Gertrude Schmidt and Hilda Smith. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Lou, and his 3 children, Diana Mrsny and Jennifer Holz of Fort Collins, and Michael Holz of Buena Vista; as well as his three stepchildren Jeff Pagani, Lisa Antonio and Laura Clark. He will be missed by his grandchildren; Devon Powers, Maren Reichert, Kiersten Barrett and Kelbi Holz; as well as his step-grandchildren Brittany Britos, Trevor Pagani, Jenna and Hayden Clark, Katherine, Tommy and Johnny Antonio, and a blend of 9 great-grandchildren.

At the age of 93, Will passed away from cancer in their Windsor home on May 14, 2022. Many thanks to his oncologist, Dr. James Moore. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 14th at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Collins, CO, where his cremated remains will be interred. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Redeemer Lutheran Church or Chipping for Charities.