Peter Nanne Holtus

Peter Nanne Holtus, husband, father, humanitarian, 68 years of age, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on April 3, 2011. Born in a small town in Holland near the southern border to Germany on 26 May, 1942, Peter entered this world as the fourth child of Wilhelm and Bauwina Harbers Holtus. There soon followed four more siblings, making a total of eight. Peter's Dutch name was Nanne Peter after his maternal grandfather. He legally changed his name when he was naturalized in 1962. An exceptional student at a boys school, Peter was ambidextrous as well as mechanically inclined. In January 1957, the Holtus family left Brunssum and traveled to Rotterdam to start an eleven day ocean journey to a new country, America. The Groote Beer (Big Bear) sailed across the north Atlantic arriving in New York on 27 January, 1957. Finally settling in Denver by years end, they set about assimilating into their new homeland. Peter attended Annunciation High School in Denver and graduated from East High School in Denver on 5 June, 1961. While accompanying his sisters to the roller rink across town, he met the girl who would become his wife. Peter and Judy Christensen were married on 10 November, 1962 in Denver. They had two children, Lori Judith on 24 August, 1963 and Mark Peter on 3 November, 1965. Peter apprenticed with the Glaziers & Glassworkers Union #930 for three years, becoming a journeyman glazier on 8 November, 1964. While plying his trade, among the notable projects he worked on were Coors Field and the Denver International Airport. Retirement was embraced by Peter on his birthday in 2005. He had looked forward to enjoying his leisure time making his woodturning creations and sharing his expertise with like minded people. Throughout his life Peter gave of his time and talent. Among those benefitting were the Boy Scouts of America where he flourished in his many positions of leadership. To that end, he was a Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Woodbadge Scoutmaster, a member of various District and Council committees and he was awarded numerous accolades, including the Silver Beaver. He also served as President of the English Springer Spaniel Association of Greater Denver for four years. He, along with his fellow dog enthusiasts, trained, showed and promoted their favorite breed of dog. Under his authority, the English Springer Rescue of the Rockies was established and is still in operation today. Peter's love of woodturning was established while making his mother a lamp in high school. Always a self learner, Peter made his first lathe from a kit and began his exploration of lathes, chucks and gouges. He took to woodturning like a duck to water. His mastery of tools and techniques enabled him to establish himself as a much sought after demonstrator and mentor. His affiliation with the Front Range Woodturners Club was a source of joy until his death from pancreatic cancer on 3 April, 2011. He also volunteered in the livestock barns at the National Western Stock Show, Rodeo and Horse Show in Denver. For seven years every January you would find him pushing pigs and assisting junior livestock handlers wrestle goats and sheep. Faithful to the core, he even managed to help this year. Peter is survived by his loving wife Judy, children Lori and Mark, his faithful dog, Simon, his siblings: Margaret Sarringar (late Virgil) John Holtus (Marilyn) Elizabeth Schneeberger (George) Ann Maslanik (Fred) Bauwina Klomp (Ray) Bill Holtus Henrica Roy (Andre) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. A Memorial Service will be held at 1 O'Clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, make donations to the Front Range Woodturners Educational Opportunities Grant, c/o Rick Orr, 9246 Mountain Brush Peak, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80130 or to the English Springer Rescue of the Rockies, Inc. www.esrr.org. Please share memories and leave condolences for the family by clicking on the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.