Alois "Al" J Holzer

Al Holzer, 85, of Bismarck, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2016, at CHI St. Alexius Health with family by his side. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 27, at the Church of Corpus Christi, 1919 N. Second St., Bismarck, with the Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Cremation has taken place and a private burial will be held at the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. Al was born on February 12, 1931, in Strasburg, to John and Katie (Deichert) Holzer and lived in Bismarck since the 1940s. Al married the love of his life, Luella “Lou” (Werner), on July 21, 1953. Al joined the Army National Guard at a young age, eventually serving in Korea and obtaining a rank of Sergeant First Class. Al always felt honored for the opportunity to serve his country over his 20-plus years with the Army National Guard and Reserve. After returning from service in Korea, Al’s life took a significant turn one night in the early 1950’s when, while working as a taxi driver, he was robbed and assaulted by two passengers. Upon being admitted to St. Alexius Hospital, Al was taken under the wing of Sister Paul McCarthy, the Administrator of the hospital, and other Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Priory. Sister Paul not only found a job at the hospital for Al which he started the day after discharge, but also introduced him to Lou, who was the Supervisor in Central Supply, and they married soon after. Al often marveled at what resulted from the robbery and assault – a career until retirement and a 63-year marriage. Throughout his life, Al had much admiration and devotion to the Benedictine Sisters of the Annunciation Priory. Al’s 36-year St. Alexius Hospital career included being the hospital’s first Respiratory Therapist and, later, being appointed as the Director of Purchasing and then Director of Materials Resources. Al played an instrumental role in several key projects. He helped develop the first centralized purchasing department, offsite warehouse, and School of Respiratory Therapy. He also coordinated the furnishings for two of the hospital’s expansion projects. He was a member of the hospital’s Administrative Council, retiring in 1989. Al so appreciated being welcomed into the “Werner family” by Lou’s parents and siblings and, later, their spouses. He was a charter member of Corpus Christi and served the Church in several capacities. Over the years, Al enjoyed bowling, being a Boy Scout leader, camping, fishing, playing pinochle, and spending time at his river-front land (which he affectionately called “River Rest”) west of Linton. He spent much of his retired life dedicated to those in need. Despite not having an easy childhood, Al turned his life into one that can only be admired. He was a wonderful and loving husband and father. He often stated his amazement at how his life turned out. Al would often say, even after his health was declining - “life is good.” At the very end, he repeatedly said that he had lived a very full life and felt very blessed. Al will be deeply missed by his wife Lou; son Jerry (Kathy) of Northfield, Minnesota; daughter Audrey (Clyde) Hardesty of Newark, Ohio; and daughter Barb Siegel of Bismarck. Al is also survived by his grandchildren Beth (Bill) Yehle, Charles Hardesty, Lara (Mike) Wind, Katie Holzer, Jesse Siegel, and Jason Siegel; and great-grandchildren Brady, Avery, and Koral, as well as his brother Leo (Shirley) Holzer; very special sisters-law Betty Fuhrman, Mary (Dick) Cieslak, Diane (Edward) Dockter, Delores (Orville) Schmitcke, Lundina (Bennie) Haux, Irene (Ken) Adolf, and Carol Werner; and many nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Teckla Wuertz; his son-in-law Wally Siegel; and brothers-in-law Glen Werner, Tony Werner, Tom Fuhrman, and Elden Wuertz. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial donations to the Benedictine Sisters of Annunciation Monastery in Bismarck or the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.