Clarence Holt

Clarence Holt, age 92, of Charles City, Iowa, and formerly of Spring Valley, MN, transcended to everlasting life through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Clarence Albert Holt Jr. was born March 12, 1929, east of Byron, MN, to parents Clarence Holt Sr. and Margaret (Smith) Holt.

Clarence assisted his father in the operation of a 160-acre farm near Stewartville, MN. and on July 16, 1946, 14 months after the end of World War II, Clarence enlisted in active service with the US Army at Fort Snelling, MN. Clarence was stationed on Guam from 1946 to 1947, where he served with the 726th Engineering Heavy Shop Company as a bulldozer operator. He reached the rank of Tec 5, was decorated with a ‘World War II Victory Medal’ and honorably discharged on Dec. 3, 1947.

He then moved to Waterloo, IA, and met Thelma Jean Young in 1951. On Oct. 5, 1951, Clarence married Thelma at East St. Olaf Church near Rock Dell, MN. In 1952, they welcomed their first son Steven Holt in Waterloo and eventually the couple settled in Spring Valley, MN, in the late 1960s. Clarence spent years hauling petroleum for Ruan Trucking. Clarence and Thelma adopted their grandchildren Thomas (Tommy) and Jeremy in 1973, as sons. In the late 1980s, Clarence retired from the Teamsters and Ruan and spent time hauling flour for Bud Meyer Trucking. He also spent some time as a custodian during his retirement at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Spring Valley.

Years after the passing of Thelma in 1996, Clarence reconnected with a friend named Trudy Post of Charles City, IA. Clarence and Trudy were married and lived in Charles City and were blessed with 16 years until her passing in 2017. After Trudy’s death, Clarence became a resident who enjoyed his time spent at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

Clarence was well known for being a banjo picker and a genuinely kind person. The lives that he touched with his music and genuine kindness are unparalleled. Clarence was a country-boy who loved fishing and his relationship to God and his only son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Clarence is survived by his sons Tommy (Sara) Holt of Cottage Grove, MN, and Jeremy Holt of Rochester, MN; grandchildren Dan, Luke, and Elizabeth; 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; sister Middie Noltee of Rochester, MN; and brother Bob (Linda) of Byron, MN and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Thelma of 46 years, wife Trudy of 16 years; his parents Clarence and Margaret and his son Steven (Suzanne) has passed since Clarence’s death – sisters Lorraine and Deloris “Loie”; brothers John, Ernest “Ernie”, Joseph “Joe”, and Dale.

Funeral Services for Clarence Holt will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 at East St. Olaf Church, Rockdell, MN, with Pastor Paul Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. prior to the service on Sunday. Burial will take place at Zion Cemetery following the service. The family asks for memorials in lieu of flowers.