Helen Holzer

Helen Holzer, 85, of Bismarck, passed away peacefully October 10, 2020 at Valley View, Bismarck.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 16, 2020 at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND with Rev. Joshua Ehli as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Rosary//Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM.

Helen was born the daughter of Michael and Martina (Mosset) Waliser on July 6, 1935 in Selfridge, ND. It was where she grew up with her 14 brothers and sisters on their family farm. Helen graduated from Selfridge High School in 1952. It was on their farm that she met her one and only love, Tony Holzer. They spent 26 happy years together. Just out of the Army, Tony worked on the custom combine crew and Helen and her other sisters would serve meals to the workers.  It was love at first site. They married shortly after and Tony would often joke, “When I first met you, you were barely out of high school.” After that day they spend 26 happy years together.

Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Bismarck and had two sons, Mark and Dan. While the boys were young, Helen enjoyed being a stay at home mom. Tony and Helen loved to dance and would go out most weekends to enjoy their life together.

Sundays were always church in the morning and the family going out to the Drumstick Café. She loved watching her young boys grow up. She was an excellent cook and had a passion for gardening.  Her love, faith, family and happiness were the glue and rock of her family. The Holzer house was the gathering place for holidays, card games and any family that came to town.

After both Mark and Dan were in grade school, Helen continued her education in library science. After certification, Helen was immediately employed at Riverside School in Bismarck, where she worked and retired after 28 years of service.  She had a love for her students and staff, a passion for her job that inspired thousands of students in the importance of reading and learning. She was most proud of that. Her students from past years still call, visit and discuss favorite books that she read to them in grade school. Sometimes she would respond back jokingly “you were a great student, but you always brought your books back late”.

In 1979, Helen and Tony celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with many friends and family. In 1980, her husband Tony passed away after their 26 years of marriage. Her strong faith enabled her to continue to support her sons through their college and early working days by her strength of family, kindness, and love. The family bond became precious and no one was ever alone.

After retirement, Helen took a couple years off and spent time pursuing her passion of cooking and gardening. She spent time visiting and having coffee and lunch with her co-workers, friends and family. She enjoyed going on walks and doing aerobics. She loved all western movies, music, and concerts. During this time, she also became mother-in-law to Tamara and Martha Holzer, whom she loved very much. She often commented that they were the daughters that she never had.  Her love and kindness lasted forever as she was proud of them spending countless days together.

The proudest moments and greatest enjoyment in her life were her grandchildren Jordan, Alexius and Nicholas.  As young children she dedicated her life to them on summer vacations, weekend getaways, shopping, reading, going to the park and zoo, and fun things before they attended grade school. Not one holiday was missed or spent alone without all her family present. Her love for life made these days special moments for everyone. The memories of their grandmother’s love, kindness, and faith have inspired to them to be the young adults they are today and will live forever in their hearts and souls.

Helen had recently moved to an assisted living apartment and enjoyed the phenomenal and caring staff at Valley View in Bismarck.

Helen belonged to the Cathedral Church for over 60 years, a member of the Riverside PTA, and Eagles Ladies Auxiliary

Her kindness, love and sense of humor will be missed by her family, friends, and all those who knew her.

Helen will be missed by her sons Mark (Tamara) and Dan (Martha) all of Bismarck; her grandchildren, Jordan Holzer Bismarck, Lexi Holzer (Pete Mendoza) Westminster, Colorado, Nicholas Holzer (Shadai Bintliff) Seattle, Washington; her sisters, Betty Waliser, Patricia (John) Aldinger, Diane Waliser; her brothers George, Robert (Sandra), Joe (Carol), John (Gail), Ronald (Jenny); sisters-in-law, Diane Waliser, Emma Holzer; brother-in-law Richard Vollmuth; a long list of countless nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in her death by her parents Michael and Martina; husband Tony; sisters, Ann Hoon, Mary Vollmuth, and infant sister Cathleen; brothers, Michael Jr., James, Anthony; sisters-in-law, Mary, Cecilia, Ann; brothers-in-law, Jake, Joe Holzer, Joe Hoon, Adam, John, and Ray.

Due to Covid-19 family prefers guests to wear a mask and follow all current social distance guidelines.