John Holzhuter

Leo John Holzhuter died June 8, 2012. John was born July 16, 1939 in Topeka, Kansas. He was blessed to be a member of an incredible family. His loving family included his sister, Patricia Ann (Mrs. Larry Gatewood) and his parents, Melba Darlene McCormac and father, Leo J. Holzhuter Sr., who preceded him in death. John graduated from Hayden High School in 1957, and later earned degrees in Social Work from Washburn University and the University of Kansas. In 1960, he married Rosemary Anne Hughes and a week later, they went to Punta Gorda, British Honduras (Belize) to establish a secondary school. John served as headmaster. On returning to the United States, he worked for the Menninger Foundation as a psychiatric social worker for several years. Later with good friend, Esther Twente, he developed a national pilot project rebuilding neighborhoods and serving the frail and elderly (a NIMH project). He then served as field instructor for KU's North Topeka Office of the newly emerging KU School of Social Welfare (Twente Hall). For twenty years, until his retirement, he served as the director of Catholic Social Services of Topeka and in those years, programming and outreach nearly tripled. At the request of a dear friend, he came out of retirement to lead Let's Help Inc. in order to champion the modernization and expansion of their programs and facilities. He retired from this position December 29, 2004. John was an avid supporter of education and job training programs to enable people to break the cycle of poverty. He had a lifetime passion for education, especially in reaching those with limited access to resources. His life was filled with the wisdom, love and humor of good family and friends. His home and his heart were enriched by his wife, Rosemary; Ampie (Chee) Dijos, Thomas Mark Zuniga, John Martin Holzhuter, David Samule Holzhuter and their spouses and their children. His mother, Melba, married James Gaddy and they currently reside in Greensboro, North Carolina. In addition to his father, Leo, he was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Linda Ann Stoecklein Holzhuter. John’s body will lie in state at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka KS 66614, on Wednesday, June 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. and Thurs., June 14, from 9 to 3 p.m. Mr. Holzhuter’s body will lie in state at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 227 SW Van Buren, Topeka KS 66603, on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. where a rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. followed by Shared Memories. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Interment services will be private. The family suggests memorial donations to a non-profit charitable fund, John and Rosemary's Fund for Children. This legacy fund was initiated in 2010 in celebration of John and Rosemary's 50th Wedding Anniversary. Donations may be sent in care of the funeral home.

John Holzhuter

July 16, 1939 - June 13, 2012