Bernard “Ben” A. Holzer

On the morning of April 21, 2016, Bernard “Ben” Allan Holzer passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND from septic shock due to a bowel obstruction after a two-year battle with appendiceal cancer. Ben was 59 years old.
Ben was born in Perham, MN on November 7, 1956 to Anton and Mary (Kasowski) Holzer. Ben grew up in Butler and Perham, MN and graduated from New York Mills High School in 1975.
On September 25, 1981, Ben married Charlene “Char” Paavola.
He spent his career employed by Mickelson’s Turkey Farm, Tuffy’s Pet Food, owner of Sewer Service, bus driver for Bauck Busing, and finally owner of Ben Holzer Unlimited. He would do anything to make a buck and was always working even while in the ER and up to the last hours of his death.
Ben was very active in his church as a Parish Council member, usher, and Eucharistic Minister.
He enjoyed spending time with family, being outdoors, ice fishing, deer hunting, camping, 4-wheeling, and John Deere tractors.
Ben is survived by his wife, Char and their three children: Angela (Vance) Bachmann, Amy (Jacques) Kimball, and Adam Holzer. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Kallie Bachmann, Dalen Bachmann, Karson Kimball, Brydon Kimball, Brooke Hohman, and Arabella Holzer; four brothers, Joseph (Sherryl) Holzer, Michael (Susan) Holzer, Francis (Beverly) Holzer, and Albert (Mary) Holzer; two sisters, Renee (late Tony) VanWatermulen and Alice (Gerald) Dittmann; brother-in-law, Robert (late Mary) Hofmann; sister-in-law Darlene (late Eugene) Holzer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceding Ben in death were his parents, Anton and Mary; two brothers, James Holzer and Eugene Holzer; sister, Mary Hofmann; and brother-in-law, Tony VanWatermulen.
Visitation was held on Sunday, April 24 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. at Schoeneberger Funeral Home. Visitation resumed on Monday, April 25 and began at 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral Mass and celebration of life service at 11:30 a.m. at The Church of Saint Henry in Perham, MN. Father Matthew Kuhn officiated. Burial will be held at a later date at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery in Perham.
In lieu of flowers: Ben wanted trees planted as memorials. Trees can be planted anywhere you wish. Please, just send us a picture via text, email, Facebook, or mail. Ben also preferred memorials to go to St. Henry’s Building Fund or St. Henry’s Area School.