Walter ‘Bud’ Holtz

Walter “Bud” Holtz, 84, Oconto Falls, died suddenly Friday morning, Jan. 22, 2016, at St. Clare Memorial Hospital. He was born June 12, 1931, on the family farm in the town of Oconto Falls to Walter and Bertha (Degmair) Holtz. Bud grew up on the farm where they raised thousands of turkeys for restaurants, and as a teen, he drove the delivery truck to area customers. He attended North Morgan School and graduated from Oconto Falls High School with the Class of 1948. On May 15, 1954, he married Gwen Andersen at Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. Following their marriage, the couple lived at and ran the family farm as a dairy farm. The farm is currently being operated by the third generation of Holtzes and will soon be recognized as a Wisconsin Century Farm. Even after Bud retired, he still made daily trips to the farm to check on things, run for parts or lend a helping hand. He was a 20-year member of the Town Board of Oconto Falls, He also drove snow plow. Bud drove school bus for the Oconto Falls School District for nine years. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Oconto Falls. Bud loved being with his family, especially during deer hunting season, and this past deer season, he shot two bucks. He also enjoyed dancing and double bubble at Club 32. Survivors are his wife of 61 years, Gwen Holtz, their five children, Chad (Cindy) Holtz, Bill (Sally) Holtz, all of Oconto Falls, Jim (fiancee Joni) Holtz, Little Suamico, John (Chris) Holtz, Shawano, and Sue (“Dime”) Johnson, Sobieski; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters, Louise Wudtke, New London, and Ruth Schroeder, Pulcifer; nieces and nephews; his special dog, Ole. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter and two brothers-in-law, Walter Wudtke and Karl Schroeder. Visitation was held from 3-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25, 2016, at Jones Funeral Service in Oconto Falls. Visitation continued after 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at the funeral until the time of the funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with his classmate and friend, Pastor Bill Kamke, officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Oconto Falls. The Holtz family would like to thank St. Clare Memorial Hospital for the care and consideration given Bud during his short hospital stay.