- Elvira O.(Marks) Holz, 93, Neenah, a resident of Prairie Home Assisted Living, Menasha, died peacefully Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Elvira was born October 30, 1915, in Big Falls, daughter of Adam and Augusta (Buss) Marks. Elvira married Lawrence Carl Holz on March 17, 1934, in Milwaukee. In 1940, Elvira and Larry moved to Morris, IL, to operate a Singer Sewing Machine store and continued to operate until the beginning of World War II. During the war years, Elvira worked at various jobs at Seneca Shipyard in Seneca, IL. After World War II, Elvira and Larry moved to Neenah where they opened Holz's Appliances Shop (a very small store front) on Wisconsin Avenue. In 1947, the Holz's Appliance shop became the first dealer in the United States to be awarded a national franchise for Pfaff sewing machines, a German manufactured machine. During 1952, the business relocated to a larger building on North Commercial Street, and during this move the business name was changed to Holz Sewing Center. Fabrics, patterns and other sundry items were added to the business along with sewing machines in 1956, and in 1964, this location doubled in size by acquiring the adjacent store. In 1968, Holz's once again expanded by adding a new fabric and sewing machine business on Richmond Street in Appleton and with the move came a new name Holz Sewing and Fabric Center. In 1972, the business in Appleton was also relocated to a store front on College Avenue. Throughout Elvira's years of ownership she was involved in both the Neenah and Appleton Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Development Associations. Elvira was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah, and belonged to their Mother and Daughter Circle, as well as the Neenah Lions Womens' Auxilliary. In 1962 and 1963, Elvira was awarded the Outstanding Dealers Award by Pfaff Sewing Machine Company as the number one Pfaff dealer in the United States. Elvira remained active in the business until the mid-1990s.
Mrs. Holz is survived by her sons: Roy (Jean) Holz, Neenah and Michael Holz, Milwaukee; daughters-in-law: Diane Holz, Neenah, and Rosemary Barnstable, Maryland; grandchildren: Christine (Tim Ball) Holz, David (Denise) Holz, Jon (Fran) Holz, Brian (Robin) Holz, Brian Thomas (Heidi) Holz; 6 great-grandchildren: Lauren, Ashley, Jason, Zachary, Emily and Jennifer Holz. Elvira is further survived by two sisters, a brother and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elvira was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence C. Holz; a son, Wayne Holz; five brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 407 Oak Street, Neenah, with Rev. Tony McKenzie officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. Saturday until the time of the service. A memorial has been established.
The Holz family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. Curtis Baltz for his many years of loving care for our mom and also to the staff at Prairie Home Assisted Living, Menasha, for the care and compassion given to Elvira.
Kessler Funeral Home
& Cremation Services
Neenah 920-722-6464
www.kesslerfh.com
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1915 - 2009 (93 years)
Obituary
