Victor "Vic" August Barnholdt, 79, passed away at his home in Swisher, Iowa, Feb. 25, 2023. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Albert Ernst and Florence (Baker) Barnholdt on Jan. 29, 1944. He grew up in Van Horne, Iowa, getting into mischief with siblings and neighborhood friends - one time rolling a 10ft snowball down the main street of Van Horne and leaving it there. He was active in basketball at Van Horne High School, graduating in 1963. He enlisted in the Army at the age of 19 and while stationed in Huntsville, Ala., served as Honor Guard for President John F. Kennedy. He went on to proudly serve in Vietnam and after being honorably discharged, returned home to Iowa. He was a 26 consecutive year member of the Swisher American Legion Post 671, as well as a member of the VFW.

In September 1979, he married Jan Ellen Buresh. They moved to Swisher in 1981, where Vic played slow-pitch softball in his early years. Soon after, Vic brought home an Irish Setter Puppy, "Aries," and she became the first of several dogs joining their household throughout the years. Many weekends were spent on their pontoon boat cruising the Sugar Bottom area with friends, family and dogs. He retired from Highway Equipment Company after many years as Inventory Control Manager. He then took a job at Kirkwood Community College in the Floriculture Department and for worked for another 17 years, finally retiring for good in 2012.

Vic loved his life in Swisher and enjoyed being out in the yard or tinkering in the garage on various woodworking projects. In retirement, Vic spent much of his time running the football pools for the Shuey Bar & Grill Group and later the Black Squirrel Pigskin Picks. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in the various tournaments, particularly with the Shuey group. A devoted Hawkeye and Denver Broncos fan, he loved his sports. And every Thanksgiving he never ceased to impress Jan's family with the complete planning and preparation of Thanksgiving dinner.

He had an amazing memory and was a master at Jeopardy and Trivial Pursuit. A jokester and trickster, he once caught the young cousins eating cookies they had secretly taken, so he told them they were eating the dog's treats. He had a beautiful voice and was often requested by the karaoke crowd to sing New York New York. Vic was an excellent ballroom dancer and could make any woman look like she was floating across the dance floor.

In addition to his wife Jan of 43 years, he is survived by two brothers, Jerry (Mary Jo) of Burlington and David of Cedar Rapids; brother in-law, Daryl Wiese of Dubuque; as well many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Joyce Wiese; a brother, William; and sister in-law, Barbara.

Please wait for later this year, when the flowers are coming up and the grass is green, and join us to celebrate the life of this wonderful man with the beautiful blue eyes that never quit.

Many thanks to Bill Bergeson at Murdoch Cremation Service for his compassion and helpfulness.

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