Larry G. "Butch" Holtz

Larry “Butch” Gene Holtz, 77, of Medford, died Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire. 

A celebration of life will be held from 12 - 5p.m., Saturday, November 6 at the Holway Town Hall located at W8581 County Rd. A, Curtiss, Wisconsin 54422. 

Butch was born November 14, 1943 in Medford to Eleanor (Schlias) and Norman Holtz.   He graduated from Medford High School in 1961. 

On October 6, 1962, he married the love of his life, Judith Kohn.  She preceded him in death in April, 2016.  They resided in Medford and when their oldest child was two years old, they moved to Beloit where they lived until 1992.  

Butch worked for Yates American where he learned how to fix planer machines.  He had a passion for woodworking so when he moved back to the Stetsonville area in 1992, he started his own business called Midwest Planer Services.  He traveled all over the country working on planers.  In the 2000’s he started his own planer business called Deer Creek Wood Products.  He made tongue & groove paneling, baseboards, and trim boards.  Every state he traveled to he would bring home a couple of rocks and a decorative spoon for Judy.  Butch loved finding different colors and shapes of rocks.  Many of them were in his pocket and went through the washing machine which didn’t make Judy happy. 

More than anything, Butch loved spending time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  He was always ready to go for a ride even if it was just to go to the grocery store for one item, which he sometimes would forget to buy and would have to make a second trip.  The grandkids always rode along and came home with a treat.  Sunday mornings you could hear the polka music playing and don’t ever get caught turning it down!  Eventually he found he could watch it on TV almost every day.  His favorite polka singer was Mollie B.  Butch was a friendly person and struck up a conversation with anyone he came in contact with.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford. 

Survivors include his four children, Brian (Sarah) Holtz of Owen, Douglas (Peggy) Holtz of Wausau, Steven Holtz of Colby, and Lisa Holtz (Dennis Ledden) of Fond du Lac; siblings, Jim (Diane) Holtz of PA, Gerald (Marlene) Holtz of Rib Lake, Bev (Mike) Peterson of Medford, Carol Zahnen of Medford; grandchildren, Amber, Jesse, Nathan, Douglas Jr., Quintin, Alex, Courtney, Megan and Matt; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Braxton, Brycen, Brynlee, Marlin, Milton, Troy, Cory, Blake, Ayden, James and Ashlyn; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Judy; a sister, Shirley Miller; and brother-in-law, William “Bill” Miller. 

Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford and Rib Lake is serving the family. Online condolences can be left at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.

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