Lou Holtz is an acclaimed college football coach and television analyst known for his accomplishments in the field and his love and companionship with his wife, Beth Barcus Holtz.
Beth Barcus Holtz was born on March 29, 1938, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to John “Bus” Barcus and Eleanor Czech Barcus, one of three sisters, including Brenda and Johanna.
Her father, John, worked in an automobile factory after serving in the Navy during World War II.
As an accomplished student, Beth graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1956 as a member of the National Honor Society.
After high school, she studied radiology at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Lou and Beth grew up in East Liverpool, Ohio, and had known each other since high school.
Still, they never dated, as Lou was shy and timid, and Beth was already in a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Ron Frese, but they ended their relationship. Beth started living in Pittsburgh to study further.
Before Lou left to go to the army to fulfill his military obligation, he took a trip to New York City with three friends.
On the way home, they had to pass through Pittsburgh, and his friends went to Beth and her friend’s party, where he got a chance to learn more about Beth.
There, they seemed to hit it off, and after learning that Beth was single, he asked for a date.
After he left the army, they married on July 22, 1961, at Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church, starting their ups and downs in life.
They had four children: Skip, Kevin, Elizabeth, and Luanne, three of whom graduated from Notre Dame.
Lou Holtz’s Wife Was A Great Woman Whose Impact Reached Beyond Football!
Throughout their nearly six-decade marriage, Lou and Beth faced numerous challenges together.
As Lou’s coaching career took them across various states, including Virginia, South Carolina, and Indiana, Beth remained his faithful supporter.
Despite the demands of Lou’s career—which often required moving and time away from home—Beth managed to create a loving environment for their family.
Beth wasn’t just a good wife and an entrepreneur of the Arkansas-based shop “The Tennis Hog Shop.”
Expanding to three locations before she sold her businesses, the resultant free time turned her work into charitable engagements like the program “No One Dies Alone” with Orlando Regional Hospital.
In 1988, she joined Lou as cofounder in his creation of The Holtz Family Foundation, promoting education and Charity events.
In appreciation for all she gave back to the community and to support Lou’s players, Notre Dame honored her with an honorary Monogram in 2008.
Lou Holtz’s wife, Beth, was active in her church; she founded and led the Lake Nona Ladies Bible Study Group for fifteen years.
Unfortunately, Beth was diagnosed with cancer in 1997 and bravely battled the disease until her death on June 30, 2020, just weeks away from their 59th wedding anniversary.
She was in a burdensome course of treatment for the sickness until she died due to complications of the treatment against cancer when she was 82.
Lou Described Beth As His Number One Priority Throughout Their Life Together.
Lou Holtz published a book entitled A Lifetime of Love: A Game Plan for Marriage and Family Life, a tribute to this lasting love and union on February 11, 2022.
He narrates, with much love, their experiences together, a narrative of faith and belief in each other and their family.
Moreover, he highlights how they faced troubles in life, such as his many relocations due to his coaching career, including Beth’s very long illness, without compromising the solidity of family bonding.
The Holtzes intended to write this book together, but after Beth’s death, Lou celebrated his wife’s memory by completing their life story together.
Their story is one of strength, love, and support, and it shows what it means to be life partners.
Beth Barcus Holtz was laid to rest on the Notre Dame campus at Cedar Grove Cemetery after a Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart 1, 3.
Her legacy lived through her family and the lives of all she helped through her years of charitable giving.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Beth was a member of the Blessed Trinity Catholic Church.
- After high school, Lou Holtz attended Kent State University and graduated with a degree in history.
- Holtz currently resides in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando.
