Here's Cal's Bio received from his wife, Mary, in April of 2008
College: Linfield for one year following high school
National Guards, after Linfield, boot camp.
Married Mary Johnston 1961
3 Children:
Charlie Holtan, married to Debbie, with 2 boys, Andrew and Josh
Eric Holtan married to Kristi, with 3 children, Joseph, Isabel and Justin
Jennifer Hellberg
Cal managed a Floral Wholesale House in Portland until 1973, when we moved to Flora, a ghost town 60 miles from Enterprise to pursue dryland wheat farming. He had always loved hunting but by then, just wanted to shoot deer and elk with a camera. Flora was beautiful, and Cal’s life ambition was always to be a farmer. The kids bussed 60 miles to school, and then back each day. We all worked on the farm, and loved the time spent together there. Both boys went off to college, and farming was very much bare bones by then for us, and we returned to Newberg where Cal became a realtor. Then prior to planning to retire he drove truck and later an emergency medical supply vehicle.
Cal loved country music, and western movies. He always loved the farm, and continued to plan and plant a field to greenery that was cut and sold to wholesale florist. His heart was in the country and he loved spending time with his family. He had a great sense of humor and a love of World War II planes, and history. His sons both continue his special interests which he planted in their hearts, Eric, farming, and Charlie, WW II history and planes in particular. He also had a great love for nature, and animals, which I see so much in Jennifer. All in all, he gave us laughter and dreams, and love for the simple things of life (and a good restaurant.) He could tell a story and have everyone laughing.
Cal died in 2004 after an 8 month struggle for life following a brain bleed. I can picture him and Bob Dent together in Heaven sharing jokes, and stories from this earth. Of course that would be when they were not playing in the Heavenly band, Bob on the trumpet and Cal on the trombone. There are no friends like old friends.
Thanks,
Mary Holtan
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