Resident of Mukwonago. Passed away on Monday, September 17, 2012 at the age of 81 years. Walter was born in Town of Lake (Milwaukee) on April 15, 1931, the beloved son of Walter and Hilda Holtz. The Holtz family’s truck gardening business and greenhouses moved to Mukwonago in 1941, where Walter graduated from Mukwonago High School.
Walter proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, from 1954-1956, returning to help run the family dairy farm. He then went to work for Pet Milk in North Prairie for six years. He began truck gardening until 1963 and then worked with the Waukesha County Highway Dept. for 28 years, until his retirement. After his retirement Walter worked full-time for Roundy’s Pick ‘N Save in Mukwonago. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #375 in Mukwonago.
Walter was a long time member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Mukwonago. He served on the church council, was president when the new educational wing was built onto the Grand Ave. Church and served as chairman of the school, an usher and was on the finance committee. Walter served as a member of the Board of Elders and started the Boy Pioneers. He served on the hot lunch committee and sang bass for many years in the church choir.
On June 2, 1956 Walter was united in marriage to Isabelle at St. John’s on Grand Ave. The Lord blessed them with six children; Pastor Roger (Kim), Randy, Ralph (Diane), Rodney (Barbara), Robin Holtz and Rita Heyerholm. Walter is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, his children, his grandchildren; Adam (Kelly) Holtz, Marie (Dr. Ryan) MacPherson, Tyler (Rachel), Sarah, Joshua (Karla), SR. SSGT Aaron (Stephanie), Scott and 1st Lt. Bryan Holtz, Travis (Fiancee Melissa) O’Brien, Angelina Hernandez and Jonah and Noah Heyerholm; great-grandchildren, Grace, Rose, Price and Newman MacPherson and Nolan and Lydia Holtz, and his sister LaVerne Ahrens. Walter was preceded into his Eternal Home by his parents, his grandchildren; Emily, Jacob, Theresa, Tina, Timothy, Benjamin and Trevor; his infant brother Alvin and his brothers and their wives, Milton and Evelyn and Arnold and Sophia; his brother-in-law Robert Ahrens, his Godchild Linda Ahrens and his daughters-in-law, Rose and Susan Holtz. Walter is further survived by many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends at ST. JOHN’S EV. LUTHERAN CHURCH, 410 Hwy NN, East in Mukwonago on Friday, September 21, from 4 PM until 7 PM and again at the Church on Saturday from 10 AM until 10:45 AM with Funeral Services beginning at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Mukwonago. Memorials in Walter’s name may be directed to the family.
The family wishes to extend their heart felt thanks to Dr. Christopher Hake, Pro-Health Regional Cancer Center in Mukwonago, Medical Oncology of Waukesha Memorial Hospital and the staff of the Intensive Care Unit at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Special thanks and gratitude to Chris Johnson for his unfathomable support and love to Walter’s family.
