James Larry Holtzen

James Larry Holtzen of Deshler, Nebraska, the son of Larry and Deanna (Cottam-Koerwitz) Holtzen was born in Hebron, Nebraska on October 12, 1959.  He departed this life on August 9, 2024 in Deshler, Nebraska at the age of 64 due to failing health.

Jim was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler where he was baptized and confirmed.  He attended Peace Lutheran Parochial and Deshler High School, graduating in 1977.  He attended Southeast Community College in Milford and graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in electronic engineering technology.  He attended the Colorado Technical University in Denver, Colorado.  On February 24, 1979, he was united in marriage to Nancy Cline.  They made their home in Fort Collins, Colorado and this union was blessed with 2 children.  The marriage ended in divorce in November of 1996.  His second marriage was to Julie Douglass who along with her children Robert and Melanie made their home in Fort Collins.  This marriage ended in divorce.  In 2010 Jim met and married his best friend Karen Buchanan and they later moved to California.  The two enjoyed their time walking along the beach, eating at their favorite restaurants, visiting Disneyland, and traveling.  His passions were football, fishing, camping, photography, playing guitar, singing and designing.  After Karen’s passing in 2021, he moved to Deshler where he made his final home to be closer to his family.  His most cherished times were spending time with the family, especially his father.  They would go fishing or take small road trips, talking for hours.  One of his favorite times was a recent trip to Texas with his father.  He loved his mom’s cooking, time with his daughter and her husband, or going with his sisters on one of many crazy adventures.

Jim was also proud of his work.  He worked for Woodward Governor, Ball Aerospace, SCB, and DCX-Chol Enterprises as a Senior Electrical Engineer working with the Department of Defense and NASA.

Jim was awarded for his outstanding contributions of his work to the Space Shuttle Columbia, Space Shuttle Discovery, and the Hubble Space Telescope.  Some of his many achievements included designing harnesses for the James Webb Space and Kepler Space Telescope for NASA as well as other classified circuit designs.  He enjoyed mentoring colleagues, friends, and family over the years.  He took pride in teaching others and seeing their growth and success.

He is preceded in death by his wife Karen Holtzen, son Lawrence Holtzen, stepsons Jerremy Buchanan, Danny Fitzner, and sister Lisa Holtzen, nieces Christina and Elizabeth Powers, grandparents Ernst and Elsa (Degner) Holtzen, Clarence and Evelyn (Doering) Koerwitz, John and Ruby (Tatum) Cottam.

He is survived by his parents Larry and Deanna Holtzen of Deshler, daughter Julia Schweer and husband William of Bruning, sisters Lori Kuhlmann and husband Scot of Chester, Debi Aaron of Hebron, and Melissa Powers of Chester, nieces and nephews, and other friends and relatives.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church in Deshler, Nebraska, with Pastor Joseph Love officiating.  A private inurnment at Peace Lutheran Cemetery at Deshler will follow the church service where Jim Holtzen, his wife Karen and her son Jerremy will be buried.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials which may be sent in care of the family to Price Funeral Home or to the family.