Richard Charles Scott Holetz

Richard Charles Scott Holetz, formerly of Pine City, passed away peacefully Monday, December 29, 2025, at his home in Edina at the age of 86.

He was born on September 20, 1939, to C. Virgil and Olga (Holetz) Peterson in Pine City, MN. After Olga's death in 1941, Richard and his sister Arlene were adopted by Olga's parents Richard and Emma (Stephan) Holetz.

Richard grew up in Pine City, where he worked at the family-owned Holetz Motor Company, established by his grandfather in 1928. After graduating from Pine City High School in 1957, he proudly served in the United States Navy, spending three and a half years as a machinist's mate, on Kwajalein Island in the South Pacific and later on a submarine tender in San Diego, CA.

After his military service, Richard returned to Pine City, where he began dating Ruthann Chalupnik. Richard and Ruthann married in 1963 and moved to Minneapolis, where Richard worked at the Ford Motor plant in St. Paul before entering the life insurance industry in 1965. He later became manager of his company's Minneapolis agency while earning the industry's major credentials.

In 1979, Richard and Ruthann purchased Camperville Campground, which they operated for 46 years. In recognition of their lifetime achievement and exemplary leadership, they were inducted into the Minnesota Resort & Campground Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2016.

Richard was adventurous, with a love of non-fiction reading. He enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with Ruthann, deer hunting, and spending time on Sanibel Island, FL with family. Fun, creative, kind, compassionate, entrepreneurial, and optimistic, he brought laughter wherever he went and had a remarkable gift for making others smile. His sense of humor was legendary among family and friends, and he was a trusted mentor to many throughout his life.

Richard is survived by his children Kristine (Kevin) Martinson, Catherine Holetz, Richard (Karen) Holetz, Michael (Diane) Holetz; grandchildren Anthony, Laura, Matthew (Nicole), Richard, Nathan, Andrew, Sarah, Anna, Maria; great-grandson Bennett; siblings Arlene (Holetz) Leese, Mary (Peterson) Johnson, Charles (Beverly) Peterson, Steven Peterson; many nieces and nephews, friends, and Camperville family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his parents C. Virgil and Olga Peterson and Richard and Emma Holetz; wife Ruthann Holetz; brother Dale Peterson; sisters/brothers-in-law Joann (Chalupnik) Skalicky, Kathy Peterson, John Chalupnik, Edmund Leese, Richard Skalicky, Dennis Johnson.

Father Thomas Galarneault will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial for Richard: 11 AM Friday (1/9/2026) with a time of visitation one hour prior at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Beroun. Additionally, a time of visitation is planned for: 5-8 PM Thursday evening with a 7:30 PM prayer service at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City. Richard's interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Beroun.

Memorials may be directed to:
Saint Joseph's Catholic Church-Beroun
19390 Praha Avenue
Pine City, MN 55063

Funeral arrangements for Richard Holetz are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City, Swanson Chapel

FuneralAndCremationService.com