Michael Holtz

To view the Mass of Christian Burial, please click on the link: Funeral Mass for Michael A. Holtz

Michael Albert Holtz, 76, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, passed away on January 7, 2025.

Mike was born on July 25, 1948, to Albert and Irene (McIntyre) Holtz in Litchfield, Minnesota. Mike's parents were farmers near Grove City, Minnesota. When Mike was five, his parents bought a restaurant in town called the Northland Café. They lived above the restaurant for many years until selling the restaurant in the early-1960s. After living briefly in South Haven, near Annandale, the family moved to Howard Lake, Minnesota, in 1964, which was Mike's junior year of high school. At Howard Lake High School, Mike earned six letters over two years in football, basketball, and baseball. In 2014, Mike was inaugurated in the high school's Hall of Fame. He also met his future wife, Joan, his junior year. After graduating in 1966, Mike went on to study at Willmar Vocational and St. Cloud State. 

Mike married Joan Moorhead in 1971, shortly before being drafted into the US Army, where Mike was a driver with the Military Police out of Ft. Dix, New Jersey. After the military, Mike went back to working in bill collections, which he started doing before his time in the army. Throughout his career in collections, Mike was president of Minneapolis Collection Bureau and vice president of collections for Diversified Adjustment Service.

Mike and Joan had two sons, Chris and Andy, and settled in Robbinsdale in 1975, where Mike remained the rest of his life. In 1976, Mike joined the Robbinsdale Jaycees, which spearheaded a lifetime of community service. Mike was elected to the Robbinsdale City Council for Ward 3 in 1981. He was a Councilman for 16 years, before becoming Mayor for another 16 years. Mike coached youth football and basketball, and was a Cub Scout leader when his sons were young. He was also active with Robbinsdale schools and the Robbinsdale Lions. 

Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed sports, especially playing softball with the Jaycees, fishing at his beloved lake home near McGregor, Minnesota, golfing, and watching the Minnesota Twins. Later in life, he adored spending as much time as possible being “Papa” to grandchildren Hannah (19) and Alex (16). 

Mike is survived by wife Joan; sons Chris (Jake) Holtz of Maple Grove; Andy (Gina) Holtz of Robbinsdale; grandchildren Hannah and Alex Holtz; sisters Michele (Chuck) Herman of Cedar Rapids, IA; LuAnn (Dennis) Entinger of Redwood Falls; Ida (Randy) Boike, of Maple Grove; Kim (Kevin) Luhmann of Canton, GA; brother Doug (Jan) Holtz of Bonita Springs, FL; sister-in-law Carol Moorhead of Howard Lake; aunts Lela Walsh and Patty Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, mother- and father-in-law, an infant sister, sisters-in-law Julie Holtz and Linda Moorhead, and brothers-in-law Brian Moorhead, Barry Moorhead, and Peter Mazar.

Visitation Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4-7 PM at Gearty-Delmore Robbinsdale Chapel, 3888 W. Broadway. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 4087 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale with visitation one hour prior to Mass at church. Memorials preferred to Donor's choice.