James Albert Holter

Jim Holter - The Family Man

On July 2, 1930, James Albert Holter was born in the little town of Wildrose, located in northwest North Dakota. His parents were Ann Nelson Holter and Albert Nelson Holter. Both sets of his grandparents also lived nearby. They were Selina Vickaryous Nelson and James Nelson, who were married in Redwood Falls, Minn., and moved to the area in 1909. Johanna Kjome Holter and John Holter came from near Decorah, Iowa in 1910, to what was to become the frontier community of Wildrose. By 1930 it was a bustling town of about 500 residents.

In 1934, Ann and Al Holter and their two children, Dorothy, age 8, and James, age 4, moved to Stanley, N.D., where Jim’s father had purchased the local Gamble Store. Jim graduated from Stanley High School in 1948 and enrolled at North Dakota Agriculture College in Fargo, which later became North Dakota State University. In the Spring of 1952, he graduated with a degree in Pharmacy, but Jim had decided what he really wanted to do was become a veterinarian. He applied to various colleges and was told he was lacking some of the biological courses required for admission to the veterinary college. He returned to NDAC that fall and took the necessary courses. That year at NDAC was pivotal as in January of 1953 he met Joyce Swenson who was to become his wife for 71+ years.

Jim reapplied to various colleges and was proud to be accepted to all of them. He chose Iowa State College (Iowa State University) where he started his first year of study in veterinary medicine in the fall of 1953. Jim and Joyce continued their long-distance romance through that whole school year and then on June 27, 1954, they were married in Kindred, N.D. They became the parents of four children, all of whom were born in Fargo, N.D., Debra Joy, Patricia Lynn, Nelson James and Alan Norris.

Following graduation from Iowa State College with his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1957, he accepted a position with the large animal veterinarian in Casselton, N.D. In 1972, he returned to Ames, Iowa, to Iowa State University to a position on the faculty in the Pathology Department in the College of Veterinary Medicine. When he retired in 1991, he was granted the special title of Professor Emeritus.

In 1990, he was honored by the Boy Scouts of America for 50 years of service from joining scouting at age 10 as well as serving as Scout Leader, Chairman and District Representative.

He was especially proud of his four children, all of whom graduated from Ames High School and Iowa State University. His son, Alan, followed in his footsteps to become a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, graduating from Iowa State University in 1988.

Jim and Joyce retired in 1991 and moved to a home on Paradise Point, Floyd Lake, Detroit Lakes, Minn. It was in 1992 that the family started a long tradition of a family gathering during Easter weekend to spend time together and have special time with children and grandchildren. This tradition strengthened the family bonds, and they cherished those times with family. The grandchildren also took turns coming to the lake in the summers.

Jim and Joyce were blessed with seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. All of the grandchildren went on for further studies after graduating from high school. One, Krista Hellman, earned a degree from NDSU, following in her grandfather’s footsteps. Three other grandchildren now have master’s degrees. Jim always recognized the value of higher education and is proud of all his grandchildren. He truly felt they are all above average.

The loss of his son Nelson, only 51 years old, due to suicide, was an especially tough time in Jim’s life. One of Jim’s last requests was to have his ashes buried beside his son in the cemetery in Wildrose.

During the last few months of Jim’s life, the family gathered to say their goodbyes. All the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren visited him. Those were very special times with lots of good memories. He was able to tell each of them how much they mean to him and how much he loves them. Jim passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Madison.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; daughter, Debra (Bruce) Elliott of Berkely Springs, W.Va., granddaughter Angela (Thomas) DeMattia of Freehold, N.J., and great-granddaughters, Isabella, Madeline, and Elena; daughter, Patricia (Stuart) Hellman of Wauconda, Ill., granddaughters, Krista Hellman of Wauconda, Ill., and Kimberly (Kirby) Moughon of Melbourne, Fla., and great-grandchildren, Amelia and Rory; grandchildren, Joshua (Wendy) Holter, great-granddaughter, Holliday, and Natalie (Rachel) Holter and great-granddaughter, Roman; son, Alan (Jamie) Holter of Dodgeville, Wis., grandson, Joseph (Mary Kate) Holter of Mineral Point, Wis., great-granddaughters, Piper and Sloane, grandson, Benjamin (Katherine) Holter of New Berlin, Wis., and great-grandsons, Landon and Owen.

A celebration of life will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

“As long as we can love each other and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still there, all the memories are still there. You live on in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nourished while you were here”  - Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761