Joseph Francis Holetz

Joseph Francis Holetz, age 78, of Pine City, Minnesota and Emigrant, Montana, died September 15, 2013 at his mountain retreat in Emigrant, Montana. Joe was born on March 3, 1935, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of Joseph and Mary (Korbel) Holetz, Sr. Joe was baptized as an infant, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. He received his education in Pine City and was a graduate of the Pine City High School Class of 1953. Joe earned a scholarship to play football at University of North Dakota, which he attended for one year. In 1955, following his time at U.N.D, Joe entered into active military service for the United States Army and served his country. Joe was stationed in Germany and received an Honorable Discharge in 1957 when he was sent home to help his father with the John Deere Implement the family ran. On October 1, 1958, Joe was united in marriage to Mary "Molly" Reed, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hinckley, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with four children, Matthew, Dian, Joseph and Suzanne. Joe and Molly shared 55 years of marriage. They resided in Pine City and in 1966 when Joe began his career for the Bureau of Prisons he and Molly moved to Tacoma, WA. They later moved to Marion IL, Ashland KY, Stafford AZ, Terminal Ca, Adams Friendship WI and Duluth MN as Joe advanced in his career. He served the bureau as a commissary supervisor, pay roll clerk and a business manager. Joe also did taxes for many years as well as working as a part-time deputy with the Pine County Sheriff's Department. Joe enjoyed the outdoors. He retired early, at age 55 so he could enjoy hunting, fishing and canoeing as much as possible. Joe was also a handyman. He would help anyone with carpentry projects. He bought land in Emigrant Montana in 1987 at the top of Dry Creek, a glorious spot that he spent his retirement building in to a summer retreat for himself, Molly and their family. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. Blessed be his memory Joe is survived by his loving wife Mary "Molly" Holetz of Pine City Minnesota and Emigrant Montana; children: Matthew Holetz and his wife Sheri of Billings, Montana, Joseph Holetz of Blaine, Minnesota and Suzanne Hamilton of Ramsey, Minnesota; grandchildren: Kyle and Colin Holetz, Tyler and Tiana Holetz, Ala and Robbie Hamilton, Mary, Julie and Chris Hicks; great-grandchildren: Curtis and Layla; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joan Kimball and her husband Fred of Billings, Montana, Al Reed and his wife Linda of California, Don Reed and his wife Judy of Charleston, South Carolina and Julie Reed of California, along with other relatives and friends. Joe is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Holetz; daughter Dian Hicks; sister Mary Ann Peterson, brother-in-law Bob Reed. Monsignor Aleksander Suchan will celebrate the Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1st at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, September 30th with vigil prayer service at 6:30 p.m. and one hour prior to the service at the church.