Obituary for Saundra H. Holthaus

“A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I am counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how truly I was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we're together again."”

She was born on November 18,1940, to Richard and Helen (Jostad) Witte in Sparta, WI. She met Arlan at Oak Point Dance Pavilion. They married on October 11, 1958. In 1961, they moved to the Floyd Jones Farm where Dad worked on the farm and Mom was raising their two boys. Then in 1963 they moved to Gills Coulee and worked on the Doctor Gundersen Farm. In June 1964 they moved back to Bangor, where they currently reside. Mom and Dad worked on the family farm together for 60 years. Initially they milked 28 cows with 2 buckets and later expanded to 58 cows with six milking units. Mom also fed calves, raked and unloaded hay and did other various farm chores. She was a hard working farm wife who took pride in her farm yard, gardening, cooking and baking. Her Chocolate Brownies are a family favorite. She was a caring and loving Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. The Grands always knew Grandma had homemade treats for them. She was part of the local Homemaker group, Bible Study and Quilting group. Mom and Dad had a very strong Lutheran Faith and attended worship services regularly at Our Savior’s Lutheran. Later in 1999, she started working part-time at Kohl's. She did this til 2009.

She is survived by her husband, Arlan Holthaus; sons, Randy (Linda) and Brad (Erica); daughter, Tanya; four grandchildren, Ross (Amanda), Rachel (Dylan), Reed (Ashley) and Ranae (Tyler); eight great-grandchildren, Jayda, Alaina, Braxton, Carter, Norah, Preston, Henry and Baby Holthaus due April 2025; her brother, Richard Gene (Corrine) Witte of Neillsville, WI; as well as cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Saundra was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Gordon Radcliffe; nephew, Jan Radcliffe; and daughter-in-law, Becky (Hovre) Holthaus.

A special thanks to Pastors Jon and Jean Schmidt for all the visits and prayers and Gundersen Hospice Team for their care.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in West Salem. Pastors Jonathan and Jean Schmidt will officiate. Burial will be in Burns Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at Fredrickson Funeral Homes, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem, and from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service, Thursday, at the church. Memorials will be given to local nonprofit organizations.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.