James W. Holtberg, 85

James "Jim" W. Holtberg, 85, of Glenwood, died Monday, Nov. 24, at Glenwood Retirement Village Care Center in Glenwood.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 25, at Glenwood Lutheran Church with the Rev. Krista Lee officiating. Interment was in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements were with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

James W. Holtberg, son of Arnie and Hilma (Anderson) Holtberg, was born on August 7, 1923, in Lowry. He attended Lowry Elementary School and later Glenwood High School, graduating in 1941. On March 28, 1943, Jim was united in marriage to Betty J. Helgeson at her parents' home in Glenwood. Later that year he entered the U.S. Army, serving his country from 1943 until 1946. Following his honorable discharge from the service, he returned to Glenwood where he and Betty purchased a home where they would live for 52 years and raise their four children. Jim worked for Bob's Meat Market in Glenwood until being hired by the Soo Line Railroad, where he served as an Engineer for 38 years until his retirement on August 7, 1983.

Jim was a 37-year veteran of the Glenwood Fire Department, a former member of the Glenwood Jaycees, a member of the local VFW and American Legion Clubs and a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church, where he was a dedicated usher. He was an accomplished woodworker and helped his good friend, Bill Blair, and others build the original Soo Line locomotive used for years in the Waterama Parade. Jim was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and a longtime Pope County Gun Safety instructor. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. Jim will long be remembered by those who knew him as a kind, generous man who would help anyone in need.

Jim is survived by his two sons, Robert (Joan) Holtberg of Glenwood and John "Butch" (Eileen) of Little Falls; two daughters, Janet (Jim) Williams of Oconomowoc, Wis., and Jill (John) Opdahl of Elk River; nine grandchildren, Kristin (Scott) Moeller, Sarah (Jeff) Kuespert, Jeff (Angela) Holtberg, Jenny (Troy) Wihlm, Jamie (Clay) Lipke, Joelle (fiancé, Shannon Gwost) Holtberg, Andrew (special friend, Mandi Kruger) Opdahl, Nathan Opdahl and Joshua Opdahl; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Kenneth Holtberg of Glenwood; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty in 1998; and his grandson, Brad Holtberg.