Warren William Soorholtz was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on March 29, 1921, to William John and Nelle Augusta Meier Soorholtz. He grew up on the family farm southeast of Melbourne, attended Melbourne Public Schools and graduated from high school there in 1938. Warren attended Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) in Ames and received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry in 1942. He then returned to work the family farm.

Warren married Virginia Dora Morr in May, 1944, and shortly afterwards was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War II. He was a member of the U.S. 7th Army, which fought in eastern France and western Germany during the Allies’ final push to end the war in Europe. After the war he served with a military police corps stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. An avid and talented baseball player, Warren also played on army division baseball teams across France and Germany during the war years. Upon his return to the U.S., he resumed work on the farm. He was a well-known breeder of purebred Angus cattle, enjoying success with his animals in shows and sales throughout Iowa and the Midwest.

Warren and Virginia are the parents of one son, Vincent William Soorholtz. They later divorced. On August 10, 1958, Warren married Doris Mae Hessenius in Cedar Rapids. They are the parents of two children, David Paul Soorholtz and Janet Marie Clawson.

Soorholtz was a lifelong member of St. John United Church of Christ in Melbourne and served in numerous capacities there throughout the years. He was a past director of Melbourne Savings Bank and The First State Bank of Melbourne, a lifetime member of the Iowa Angus and American Angus Associations, and a proud Iowa State Cyclone. Warren played baseball on community teams in the Melbourne area across three decades, from the 1930’s through the 1950’s. A staunch Cardinals supporter, Warren also cheered even-handedly for most of the Midwest teams and in keeping with that spirit rarely missed a Cubs game on either TV or radio. He also loved to play and watch basketball, and was a tough competitor on several area bowling teams well into his 70’s.

Warren is survived by his children: Vincent (Yvonne) Soorholtz, of Round Rock, TX, David (Shelly) Soorholtz, of Clive, and Janet (Rob) Clawson, of Ankeny; 10 grandchildren: Nicholas (Angie) Soorholtz, of Portland, OR, Adam (Jessica) Soorholtz, of Belton, TX, Rachel (Gabe) Hernandez, of Austin, TX, Stuart Soorholtz, of Atlanta, GA, Kathryn Soorholtz, of Los Angeles, CA, Melanie (Eric) Terry, of Waukee, Michael (Sarah) Clawson, of Provo, UT, David, Sarah and Daniel Clawson, all of Ankeny; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Doris.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers at UnityPoint Hospice for their compassion and caring, as well as the staff at Mill Pond Retirement Community for many years of dedicated service to Warren and Doris.