Obituary and Memorial Service

Memorial Service

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