Elaine (Talkington) Holtzen

Mildred “Elaine” Holtzen was born in Turlock, California to Mildred Beryl (Ritchie) and Clarence Archie Talkington on January 1, 1938.  The Lord called Elaine to her eternal home on February 7, 2022 at Memorial Community Health Hospital in Aurora, Nebraska with her beloved Roger & Sally by her side.  Elaine was 84 years, 37 days.

Elaine began her formal education in Nebraska attending Red Cloud schools.  Her family moved to California where she graduated from Ceres High School.  Elaine studied business at the Junior College in Modesto, California before becoming employed for an optometrist for three years.  Elaine then journeyed north to Paradise, California where she taught at the Christian School.

Miss Talkington moved back to the family farm south of Inavale, Nebraska, eventually pursuing her dream of teaching. She attended Kearney State College. Elaine also worked part-time at Grandpa’s Steakhouse as a waitress and cook.  While Elaine was working, waiting on a table of gentlemen, she met Dennis Holtzen.  Denny and his friends started going to Grandpa’s frequently as Denny wanted to nurture his new friendship with Elaine.  

Miss Elaine Talkington was married to Dennis D. Holtzen on September 11, 1972 in Neosho, Missouri during a trip to buy cattle.  Denny and Elaine farmed and ranched their entire married lives.  They worked hard over the years, eventually purchasing a spread of land south of Inavale, Nebraska.  Elaine worked diligently by Denny’s side, preferring to work with the animals and pets.  She fondly and tenderly cared for the horses, pigs, sheep and baby calves.  The farm’s pets and livestock were her “children”.   

Mrs. Holtzen was kind and a caretaker of others.  Elaine was a devout Christian rooted with deep Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ and our Savior.  She attended the Assembly of God Church. Elaine intensely loved her “Denny boy”, family, friends and community.

Elaine and Denny were stewards of the land, resourceful to have it provide for them to the fullest. Elaine had a large garden where she preserved the produce and made juices, jams, jellies and pies from Mother Nature’s bounty of chokecherries, wild plums, gooseberries, mulberries and wheatgrass.  Those closest to Elaine know she was fiercely independent and would stand her ground with what she believed in.   

Elaine enjoyed horses, tending to flowers, music, playing the piano and electric organ, reading, learning about natural health and nutrition and walking along Walnut Creek.  Elaine possessed a fun personality with a quick wit.  

The legacy of Denny and Elaine Holtzen’s farm/ranch will continue shining bright.  They desired to keep future generations of farmers and ranchers alive in the same way Frank Siebert helped them.  Holtzens’ passed their torch to special friends, Wyatt and Nora Rhoades and boys, selling their operation to them.     

Preceding Elaine in death were her husband, Dennis; parents; brothers, Eldon and Ardell; sister, Joyce Talkington; a nephew, Jeff Holtzen; great nephew, Abe Talkington; brother and sisters-in-law Larry and Gerald (Joy) Holtzen and Herman Schuett

Those left to cherish her memory are sister Donna Talkington of Crete, Nebraska; brother Dale (Becky) Talkington of Dorchester, Nebraska; sisters-in-law Jeannie Talkington of Red Cloud, Nebreaska, Ilene Schuett of Chapman, Nebraska and Sharon (Bob) Nunnenkamp of Aurora, Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Joe (Judi) Holtzen of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Jim (Grace) Holtzen of Aurora, Nebraska.  Elaine adored her nieces Becky (Bill) Olson and Tricia (Don) Bruha and nephews Archie (Carlose), Danny, Brian (Donna) and Brad (Holly) Talkington; Brad (Jill), Rick (Francine), Tom (Candance) and Jon Holtzen; Kenyon and Roger (Sally) Schuett. 

Funeral services were Tuesday, 11:00 am, February 15, 2022 at the Red Cloud Bible Church with the Rev. Gary Bennett officiating. Interment was at the Walnut Creek Cemetery south of Inavale, Nebraska.

Memorials will be directed to the Walnut Creek Cemetery Fund.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska   68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
 

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