Since Pete treated everyone like immediate family, we will be holding a public memorial service, so that all can share our love for Pete together. This is scheduled for Monday, January 9 (visitation from 4-6:45pm with a service to follow) at Becker Ritter funeral home. We also plan to hold a Celebration of Life gathering in spring or summer and will share these details in the coming months.
Pete's obituary is still being finalized and will be printed in the Sunday Journal Sentinel, but here is a sneak peek of what we have drafted up already:
Dr. Peter J. Holzhauer
Dec 22, 1944
– Jan 5, 2017
Born in
Ipswich, England to Jack Holzhauer of Milwaukee and Joan Howard Holzhauer of
Ipswich, Pete became a lifelong Wisconsin resident at the age of 3. Husband and
best friend to Jane Russell Holzhauer, father to Brenna (Pete), Ryan (Denise) and John (Jane), brother
of Mike (Beth), Mary, Patti, Paul and David (Sandy), in-law, cousin, uncle and great
uncle to dozens of nieces and nephews, and beloved friend of many, Pete will be
missed dearly. He battled aggressive cancer for nearly ten years, defeating
many odds, and finally succumbed after spending the holidays with his family
and friends.
Pete attended
Christ King grade school, Marquette University High School (1963), Marquette
University (1967) where he was a member of ΑΦΩ Fraternity, the Medical College
of Wisconsin (1972), and completed his medical internship in Seattle, WA. He became
one of the first practitioners of Emergency Medicine, a pioneer of the
specialty, providing expert care, comfort, jokes and smiles to patients of all ages
for over 40 years in Milwaukee and Brookfield. He was proud to be an active
member of the Wisconsin Medical Society and serve as medical director for
Milwaukee County and Pewaukee EMS.
In his free
time, Pete spent as much time as possible at his farm in Southwestern Wisconsin,
restoring the land, hiking the hills and valleys, and sharing this slice of
heaven with family and friends for more than 40 years. Pete was a talented
musician, and after an early career performing in folk groups and managing Milwaukee
rock bands, he enjoyed playing the guitar for friends and relatives at any
chance. Pete was also a photographer, pilot, traveler, camper, and adventurer,
taking every opportunity to explore beautiful places, taste new foods, experience
different cultures, and visit friends around the globe. He truly lived life to
the fullest and is an inspiration to many, sharing his positive spirit, sense
of humor, wisdom, and strength with everyone he met.
A memorial
service is scheduled for Monday, January 9 (visitation from 4-6:45pm with a
service to follow) at Becker Ritter funeral
home.
In lieu of
flowers or gifts, please feel free to send donations in Pete’s honor to support
some of his favorite causes:
Aldo Leopold Nature Center http://www.aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org/
Wisconsin Public Radio http://www.wpr.org/donate
Ocooch
Mountain Rescue (Gays Mills Volunteer Emergency Medical Services, PO Box 204,
Gays Mills, WI 54631)
Marquette University High School https://www.muhs.edu/support-muhs/give-now
