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Emanuel “Brownie” Holzwarth Jr. was born on October 11, 1928, on the family farm near Mound City, SD, to Emanuel and Katherine (Stadel) Holzwarth. He was raised on the family farm and attended rural country school. On March 14, 1951, he joined the US Army. He served in the Korean War before being Honorably Discharged on March 4, 1953. Brownie married Alice Aman in 1953 and they moved to Mobridge that year. In 1980 he married Virginia Gunther. Brownie was employed by Nash Finch as a delivery driver, the Moose Club as manager, Interstate Bever- age as sales and delivery person, KOLY in advert- ing, bowling alley as manager, and had various con- struction jobs. He also owned the Palace Lounge for several years before becoming the manager of the American Legion in the late 1970’s until his retire- ment in 2010. After his retirement, he lived with his daughter Rhonda in Mandan for 4 years before moving to a nursing home due to health reasons. Brownie had a love for horses and his pride and joy was “Champ”. He enjoyed going to rodeos, horse shows, car shows, golfing, playing gin, shaking dice, playing baseball, hunting, and trapshooting. Brownie organized and participated in the Mobridge parade and had his fifty flags as part of it. He was also involved with and promoted the Sitting Bull Stampede and built the chutes at the rodeo grounds, and maintained the grounds for many years. In addition, he contributed to the formation of Beef and Fun Days in Mo- bridge. During the 30 plus years he managed the American Legion many great memories were made, especially with the dart leagues, pool leagues, smokers, and parties. Brownie would help you out any way he could and his handshake was his word. He made many lifelong friends in Mobridge and everywhere he went. Brownie was a member and past president of the Mobridge Rodeo Association, SD Liq- uor Association, Wheels Unlimited, and Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a life member of the Moose Club and the Legion Club. Brownie was Retailer of the Year in 2000, Mo- bridge Tribune Cook of the Week in December of 2006, Legionnaire of the Year in 1999. He also was on the volunteer fire department for 35 years, was the dog catcher in town, and drove the van for the veterans to Ft. Meade. Brownie is survived by his daughters, Tami (Allen) Steiner of Dickinson, ND, and Rhonda (Mike Merkel) Maas of Mandan, ND; grandsons, Jeff (Noel) Holzwarth, Aric Steiner, and Devin Steiner; great grandchildren, Ashlynd, Jovi, and Landon; sister, Meta Rau; stepchildren, Jean (Tom) Martin of Colorado, Carol (Jim) Bass of Wyoming, Deb (Lou) Hawkins of New Jersey, Brenda (Wayne) Heidecker of North Dakota, Duane Gunther of Mobridge, and Rhonda (Gale) Larson of Mobridge. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Henry, George, John, Gust, Jacob, Bill, Walter and Eddie; sisters, Emma, Hulda, Anna, Katie, Minnie, Irene, and Bertha. October 11, 1928 ~ July 31, 2019 Emanuel “Brownie” Holzwarth Jr.
