Brian Joseph Windholz, 80, the son of Isidore and Pauline (Erbert) Windholz, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in Valley, Nebraska after several years of bravely facing progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a late-onset neurodegenerative disease.
He was born on January 2, 1944 in Hays, Kansas and married Shirley Schmidt on November 27, 1969. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Military Academy in 1962 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State College where he was the editor of the State College Leader newspaper. An Army Reserve veteran, Brian served in the 388th Medical Depot, Hays, from 1965 to 1971. He played saxophone and clarinet in the Ted Smith Orchestra and the Eddie Frank Band, and enjoyed golf, travel, playing cards, visiting casinos, cheering for the Boston Red Sox and Green Bay Packers, and deploying his dry and mildly subversive sense of humor when you least expected it.
Brian was Associate Administrator and Accountant at St. Thomas Hospital in Colby, Kansas, and was Administrator of Thomas County Hospital, assisting in the move to Citizens Medical Center until 1985. He also worked at Russell Regional Hospital, Clara Barton Hospital, and as Treasurer for the City of Russell, Kansas before happily retiring in 2003.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley of Elkhorn, Nebraska, children, Jennifer (Barry) Weiner of Chanhassen, Minnesota, Chad (Teri Madsen) Windholz of Papillion, Nebraska, and Kim (Jared) Spletstoser of Collegeville, Pennsylvania, brothers, Oren M. (Patricia) Windholz and Guy (Kathy) Windholz, sisters-in-law, Betty Augustine and Gerri (Don) Johnson, adored grandchildren, David, Cameron, Justin and Alex Weiner; Rian Boub, Gavyn and Tyler Windholz; Ben and Kate Spletstoser, and many nieces and nephews, including godson, Jason Windholz.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Glen J. Windholz, mother-in-law, Katherine Schmidt, brother-in-law, Lavern Augustine, and the cherished dogs he never wanted, Candy, Scout, and KoKo.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Fred Gatschet officiating. Inurnment with military honors by the Hays VFW Post #9076 Honor Guard will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Friday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Saturday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Friday at the funeral Home. Brian was always impeccably dressed and loved a colorful necktie. If you are attending either service, feel free to wear a pop of color in his honor! Brian’s family would be grateful for memorials to Cure PSP www.psp.org or to Arbor Care Center in appreciation for their wonderful staff. Condolences and memories of Brian may be shared with his family at www.haysmemorial.com