IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Willi
Holzshuh
October 15, 2011
Obituary
March 11, 1922 - Oct. 15, 2011
ELKHART — Willi Holzshuh, 89, residing in Elkhart, passed away peacefully at home at 11:39 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, with a smile on his face and his family at his side.
He was born March 11, 1922, in Deronje, Yugoslavia, to Peter and Eva (Stirba) Holzshuh.
Mr. Holzshuh is survived by his wife, Maria, and daughter Susie.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister and an infant son.
Willi was drafted into the German Army in World War II, serving as a tank commander with the 4th Panzer Division ,and fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. He was captured by the Russian Army and became a prisoner of war. He eventually escaped after two attempts and walked back to Germany, where he was united with his family at a refugee camp in Ober Bavaria. It was there he met the love of his life, Maria Kolleth, and eventually married her in 1946 in Neuhutten, Germany, in the presence of their family and friends.
Due to the Cold War and the potential threat of another war, he decided to move to America. On Valentine's Day 1956, they arrived in New York Harbor to start a new life. They then moved to Elkhart, which was the home of their sponsors, Martha and George Heeter. Willi designed their home in 1957 and remained there the rest of his life.
On Sept. 14, 1961, in a ceremony that proved to be one of his proudest moments, Willi became an American citizen.
He worked as a mechanical engineer for L & J Press of Elkhart for Mr. Grossman, whom he looked up to as a father. He was also a master wood carver and furniture maker and spent much of his free time creating amazing pieces of carved wooden works of art and beautiful handcrafted furniture. A man of traditional German work ethic, Willi was always a man of his word and poured 110 percent into everything he did. He was efficient, precise and sought perfection. "Do it right the first time" was his motto.
Because of the hardships endured early in his life, Willi was a devout Christian, with his greatest love being his wife and family, and he did everything possible to ensure their security and comfort.
During their 65th wedding anniversary, Willi and Maria received a personal papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI in honor of their commitment to each other.
The family would like to thank everyone who helped care for Dad over the last four years. Elkhart General Hospital, the ER, Alick's Home Medical, all the EMTs who came to the house to help Dad all hours, Regional Home Care, American Nurses Home Care, Compassionate Caregivers: Everett and Todd, Greenleaf Health Center, East Lake and Hubbard Hill, Center for Hospice, especially Marek Serwatka, Dr. Niheem, Dr. Rogers and Kay. The family greatly appreciates the quality of care provided. God bless you all.
In accordance to family wishes, Willi has been cremated. There will be a memorial Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart, at 10 a.m. Friday, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. The Rev. Bill Sullivan will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart.
Willi always enjoyed sitting on his back porch with his flowers and birds. He promised God that he would always care for them if He would watch over his family. God kept his promise, and so did Willi. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
"Schlaft en himmelischer ruhe, meine leibschen."
ELKHART — Willi Holzshuh, 89, residing in Elkhart, passed away peacefully at home at 11:39 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, with a smile on his face and his family at his side.
He was born March 11, 1922, in Deronje, Yugoslavia, to Peter and Eva (Stirba) Holzshuh.
Mr. Holzshuh is survived by his wife, Maria, and daughter Susie.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister and an infant son.
Willi was drafted into the German Army in World War II, serving as a tank commander with the 4th Panzer Division ,and fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. He was captured by the Russian Army and became a prisoner of war. He eventually escaped after two attempts and walked back to Germany, where he was united with his family at a refugee camp in Ober Bavaria. It was there he met the love of his life, Maria Kolleth, and eventually married her in 1946 in Neuhutten, Germany, in the presence of their family and friends.
Due to the Cold War and the potential threat of another war, he decided to move to America. On Valentine's Day 1956, they arrived in New York Harbor to start a new life. They then moved to Elkhart, which was the home of their sponsors, Martha and George Heeter. Willi designed their home in 1957 and remained there the rest of his life.
On Sept. 14, 1961, in a ceremony that proved to be one of his proudest moments, Willi became an American citizen.
He worked as a mechanical engineer for L & J Press of Elkhart for Mr. Grossman, whom he looked up to as a father. He was also a master wood carver and furniture maker and spent much of his free time creating amazing pieces of carved wooden works of art and beautiful handcrafted furniture. A man of traditional German work ethic, Willi was always a man of his word and poured 110 percent into everything he did. He was efficient, precise and sought perfection. "Do it right the first time" was his motto.
Because of the hardships endured early in his life, Willi was a devout Christian, with his greatest love being his wife and family, and he did everything possible to ensure their security and comfort.
During their 65th wedding anniversary, Willi and Maria received a personal papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI in honor of their commitment to each other.
The family would like to thank everyone who helped care for Dad over the last four years. Elkhart General Hospital, the ER, Alick's Home Medical, all the EMTs who came to the house to help Dad all hours, Regional Home Care, American Nurses Home Care, Compassionate Caregivers: Everett and Todd, Greenleaf Health Center, East Lake and Hubbard Hill, Center for Hospice, especially Marek Serwatka, Dr. Niheem, Dr. Rogers and Kay. The family greatly appreciates the quality of care provided. God bless you all.
In accordance to family wishes, Willi has been cremated. There will be a memorial Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart, at 10 a.m. Friday, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. The Rev. Bill Sullivan will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart.
Willi always enjoyed sitting on his back porch with his flowers and birds. He promised God that he would always care for them if He would watch over his family. God kept his promise, and so did Willi. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
"Schlaft en himmelischer ruhe, meine leibschen."
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willi Holzshuh, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
October
21
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
9:00 - 10:00 am