Greg Holthaus Eulogy - 10-18-13 Set paper down and step back and slowly take a look all around you, “Greg this is the biggest stage I will ever have the honor to stand on”….I am just glad there is no jumbo tron behind ...inside joke As we listened to all of the stories you shared with us, we all learned a lot about Greg we didn’t know this week some more surprising than others. • He was the captain of his flag football team at Ranken and spent hours drawing up a playbook • He kept a bible with him at college • His first speech in speech class was about his faith • He wrote a song • He was a great coach • He built a real scoreboard for his friends wiffle ball field • He was deeply loved more than we knew was possible But the most surprising thing we all learned this week was that Greg had a bigger heart than anyone knew and it is the reason God brought us here today to celebrate the life of our son, our grandson, our brother, our uncle, our nephew, our cousin, our student, our neighbor, our best friend. We are here today to celebrate the life of Greg Holthaus. He was with us just 6,855 days and in that time, as you look around today; ask yourself how was he able to have such a meaningful impact and connect so deeply with all of us in such a short time? Think about that for a moment…what was so special about Greg? Was it his leadership? Founding member of the lumberjack club Head coach of the volley ball team, where he dress every game in a suit and tie and came to practice with real plays and a plan. Was it his ability to always make us laugh? Reciting “To Bill Brasky” SNL skit Imitating coach Warnecke youtube/watch?v=cW9xqplgoI0 Was it his ability to inspire? Many of you might have seen the video of Greg giving a pep talk to his co-works/friends before serving food at Cygan Delaney...A great example of his spontaneously comedic leadership and inspiration even when it was just going about his normal day youtube/watch?v=jeGzl1TMzAU Was it his incredibly observant, and almost telepathic ability to know what everyone around him was feeling? STORY: Greg with the little leaguer. Girl at a party who he cheered up with his charm. How did Greg become the man he was? He had a yearning for knowledge and a way of asking questions without being critical even if you knew he didn’t agree with you. Ask any of his coaches and teachers and they will all comment on his ability ask questions in a way that would let you know he was challenging you but with respect. They also told me he could to take over the room and if they could ever figure him out they found they could work these talents to their benefit. Greg’s devotion to religion stems back from his grandparents Ed and Mary and Norb and Alis. They instilled how important it was to attend mass as a family each week. As father said, Greg did miss church one week but said that he had a really bad week so he didn’t want to miss it again. As his oldest brother (or as he liked to call me the brother from another mother) I was always giving him advice whether he liked it or not. He would always listen. Then he would step back think then ask questions until he was comfortable making a decision. We had a lot in common even though we were 16 years apart. We both loved baseball, not because we were the best players or it came natural but because we were nearly cut from the team. For us it was about the battle to become a better player and when we got the chance to play we gave it 100%. We both learned a life lesson that hard work pays off. Where we differed was he knew exactly what he wanted to do at 18. He was in his first semester at Ranken majoring in construction design and was saving money to make a down payment on a duplex of his own. His most important influence was on my wife and three children. He was always stopping by especially when I wasn’t to flirt with my wife Melanie and play with my kids. Hayden was his big man, Skyler was his princess, and Chloe was his church buddy. My kids and I would come over every Sunday morning and have pancakes and many Sundays we would wake up his friends sleeping in the living room then go up and jump on him until he got up. Jack was also Greg’s older brother. They shared everything growing up. He looked up to Jack as the brother that was more laid back. Greg learned to always be there for others and not to take the small stuff to seriously from Jack. Greg became interested in learning to play the piano after seeing how Jack used his guitar playing ability to attract the ladies. Greg had two sisters Eileen and Mary Ellen. Eileen is the free spirit of the family and because of that she travelled the world. Mary Ellen provided the humor in our house and when Greg and Mary Ellen got together look out. They told him that no one is good, bad, mean or nice and everyone has layers to who they are. The world is a big place and keep an open minded as you go off to college. On his parent’s first visit, he proudly showed off his first black friend, Marcus. He convinced Eileen to make Jeremy his brother, which we are all thankful for. Jeremy was one of his best friends and often a voice of reason for Greg. Eileen and Jeremy are closer because of Greg. Greg had the best roll model in a father that anyone could ask for. If you know our dad you know he leads by example. My brothers and I all grew up working different jobs with our dad. In all that time he never once yelled at any of us or got mad when we messed up. He led by example. He never brags or complains and if you ever need anything no matter what time of the night or day he would show up with a truck full of tools ready to share his gifts as a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and mason. He always made sure we knew the value of a dollar, a hard day’s work, and allowed us to make mistakes….but most of all he showed Greg how to be a man. Who else would be selfless enough to hold his a son’s funeral on his birthday? Greg was able to do what none of his other children were able to do no matter how hard they tried. He convinced our dad to stop smoking…knowing Greg you would assume he talked him into it, but that was not the case. He did it with one talent he didn’t possess….speed. He beat our dad in a foot race. One thing Greg was not was fast. Greg was definitely a momma’s boy! We learned from our mom the value of family and eating as a family. When we were growing up all of our friends knew Gail was a great cook and to stop by around dinner time. If you stopped in you couldn’t leave without sharing a meal and visiting with our family. I know many of Greg’s friends have a deeper relationship with their parents because of this. I have been told by many that Greg would show up with their son or daughter on a Friday or Saturday and sit and chat instead of going out for the night. He was very polite almost to the point that some thought he was being sarcastic. Like our mom he had a way of putting everyone at ease. Why did Greg have such an impact on his friends and the community of Highland? So what have we learned?…we are all better by having Greg in our lives. He knew how to make a difference. Greg was the person he was and aspired to be because of God and all of you. For without you he would not be the person he was or dreamt of being and without him we would not be the people we are today. He has left us physically but he will always be a leader, a comedian, a salesman, an example to all of us. We are all the luckiest people to have known, loved and lived with Greg. So now it is up to all of us to live out his dreams. Be Greg. The Greg who: a) Give Gregarious hugs liberally and often b) Makes life fun even if you are just doing your job or going about your daily routine c) Never be afraid to be yourself or make mistakes d) Take time and go out of your way to connect in person [at the kitchen table, car or living room] with family and friends e) Find a way to make a difference with your talents and be a do-er, don’t just have good intentions. f) Remain faithful to your friends your family and God as you never know when you are going to need one or all of them. Greg’s ability to bring people together and to bring out the best in people should shine on through all of us. Being called to the big leagues to be there to guide all of us is not going to be easy, but I know you can do it because you are with someone special that you already have a lot in common with: 1. She too passed away unexpectedly on the 13th of the month. 2. She was also found in the morning by loved ones after a great night together. 3. She had a big heart just like you. And now you have gone to heaven to be with her. I know you will grow to love my mother as much as we love yours. Mom take good care of Greggy he is our special young man.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 06:26:23 +0000
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