Robert “Bob” “Bubbles” Eugene Holthaus, 71, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, surrounded by his loving wife and their four children.

Robert was born on January 17, 1947 to Adolph and Esther (Stuke) Holthaus at the Seneca Hospital in Seneca, Ks. He was the second son of six children and was raised on the family dairy farm.

He attended St. Peter & Paul Grade School until the family moved to a farm north of Baileyville, Ks. There he attended the Baileyville High School where he graduated with the Class of 1966.

Robert married Mary Jane Niehues on November 16, 1968 at the Immaculate Conception Church at St Marys, Ks. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on November 16, 2018.

Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard with the Marysville, Ks unit. He proudly served his country when he started his basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and later stationed at Aberden Proving Ground, Aberden, Maryland. On May 13, 1968 the Marysville Unit was called to active duty and were stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado with his Honorable Discharge from service on May 18, 1972.

Robert was employed with the Nemaha County Coop at Baileyville, Seneca Wholesale, Freddy’s Pizza Palace, Gene Hammes Trucking and Ben C. Holthaus Trucking. The last of his long trucking career was with Michael Bennett Trucking for over 40 years. He enjoyed hauling livestock, grain, fertilizer, and road construction. One of the big trips was to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico when he helped haul dairy cows in 1978.  After his trucking career, he loved to spend his time outdoors caring for livestock and spending time with his family.

Robert is survived by his loving wife Mary Jane, sons Daniel “Dan” (Julie) Holthaus of Fairview, Ks and Dean (Laura) Holthaus of Seneca, Ks daughters Melinda (Chad) Stallbaumer of Baileyville, Ks and Melissa (Andy) Evans of Seneca, Ks. He is survived by seven grandchildren, Courtney, Cassidy, and Cody Holthaus; Lavin & Lakin Stallbaumer; and Brendan & Emra Holthaus. He is also survived by three brothers James “Jim” (Connie) Holthaus of Topeka, Ks; Keith (Jody) Holthaus of Holton, Ks; Steve (Connie) Holthaus of Seneca, Ks and one sister Beverly Ann Holthaus of Maple Hill, Ks.

Robert was preceded in death by a daughter, Geraldine Mary Holthaus on August 5, 1973 and a granddaughter Lily Louise Stallbaumer on May 31, 2008. He was proceeded in death by his parents Adolph Holthaus on July 27, 1991 and Esther (Stuke) Holthaus on September 13, 2015; a brother Gary Holthaus on April 4, 2017, his sister in law Beryl Ann Holthaus on August 22, 2013; his nephew Kevin Holthaus on June 17, 1981; his grandparents Frank and Josephine (Rethman) Holthaus and Henry and Emma (Roeder) Stuke.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM on Friday, January 4, 2019 at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca.  Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .