Reva L. Holthaus, 76, of Baileyville, KS, died Sunday, January 5, 2003, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka. She had been a resident at Aldersgate Village in Topeka since August 2001 due to declining health.

She was born October 12, 1926, in St. Benedict, KS, the daughter of Andrew G. and Margaret C. Andres Engelken. She graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and from St. Benedict High School as the valedictorian in 1944.

On May 25, 1948, she married Leo Holthaus at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. After marriage, they lived a year with Leo’s parents on a farm southeast of Baileyville until they rented a farm east of Seneca. In 1950 they moved to a farm northwest of Baileyville and in 1955 to Baileyville. Besides farming, they raised St. Bernard dogs for sale. They were divorced in 1970. In 1970 Reva became a census taker in Nemaha County and also a foreman on a corn detasseling crew. She worked as a cook at the Seneca Hospital and then was employed at the Baileyville State Bank as a teller for 25 years until her retirement in January 1999. She also liked selling Fashion Two-Twenty makeup. In July of 1999, she was hospitalized in Topeka and then went to live with her grandson Jason Holthaus and his wife Carol until August 2001.

Her memberships include Sacred Heart Church and the Altar Society at the church in Baileyville. She did accounting work for the church for many years. She was also a member of the Benedictine Oblates and a rosary leader.

Survivors are six sons, Allan, Ron, and Fred, all of Topeka, Steve of Morrill, KS, Les of Osage City, KS, and Howard of Olathe, KS; three daughters, Debbie Rilinger of Morrill, KS, LeeAnn Kidney of Holton, KS, and Janet Monk of Gardner, KS; a brother, Clarence Engelken of St. Benedict; 27 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Lester Engelken; and a grandson, John Paul Holthaus on August 26, 1986.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 AM Wednesday at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery in St. Benedict. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for Sacred Heart Church or the Alzheimer’s Association, and sent in care of the family.