Don A. Holtan of Dawson, MN died Friday, January 24, 2014 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson at the age of 88.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 10:30 AM at Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church, rural Dawson. Rev. Bruce Bringle will officiate and interment will be in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 29 from 5-7:00 PM at the Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.
Donald Allen Holtan was born September 19, 1925 in Cerro Gordo Township, Lac qui Parle County, MN the son of Joseph and Ahme (Tesch) Holtan with Dr. Arne Stemsrud his great-uncle attending. He was baptized and confirmed at Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church and attended District #34 School where Cora Bjorgan was his only teacher. He graduated from Dawson HIgh School in 1942 being the highest ranking boy in his class. Don was united in marriage with Elsie O. Heieren September 19, 1948 at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Baxter. Following their marriage, Don and Elsie lived on the farm of his grandfather, Ole Holtan. Don also worked part-time at Carmen Peterson Implement, an Allis Chalmers dealer, in Dawson. Their first home was the second house built on the Holtan farm. In 1950, they purchased the Holtan farm in Section 28 of Cerro Gordo Township and moved into it in 1951. They received the Century Farm plaque for 100 years of continuous family ownership in 1987. Don and Elsie continued active farming until 1982. He enjoyed fishing, water skiing, car races, and observing and feeding wildlife. He especially enjoyed birds and deer. He was an active member of Lac qui Parle Lutheran Church and the National Farmers Organization (NFO). Don has always had a constant interest in mechanics and motors, their care and upkeep, and was commonly referred to as "a doctor of motors". He participated in several tractor pull and plowing contests. Don was active in the Lac qui Parle Racing Association and had served on the board of directors. Don also served on the Cerro Gordo Town Board. He was a member of the Milwaukee Road Heritage Center, was very supportive of Heritage Hill and was an active member of the Minnesota Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association.
He is survived by his wife, Elsie of Dawson; a sister, LaVon (David) Mohr of Luverne, MN; a nephew, John (Jennifer) Mohr and their son Aiden of Temecula, CA; and other family and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, Jean Shirley Holtan in 1946 at the age of 15.