Arthur John Holter, 87, died Saturday, February 18, 2012, in Racine, Wisconsin, following a brief illness. He was born January 12, 1925, in Glasgow, Montana.
Art was raised during the Great Depression on the Hi-Line of northern Montana. He began working at an early age, which instilled in him a life-long value for hard work. Art was baptized, confirmed and later married at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. He graduated from Glasgow High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Navy during WWII. He trained both as a pilot and as a naval aviation machinist, and served during the war in the Philippine Islands.
After the war ended, Art returned to Montana and enrolled in college on the G.I. Bill. He met his future wife, Frances Helen Schultz, while attending Northern Montana College in Havre. He drove many miles to court her, including bad roads south to her father's ranch, and north to the one-room schoolhouse near Genevieve, Montana, where Frances taught. They were married in 1950, and celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on December 23, 2011.
In 1952, Art graduated from University of Montana in Missoula with a degree in Business Administration. He joined the J.I. Case Company, working first in Gillette, Wyoming, and later Billings, Montana. As a District Manager for Case he travelled extensively throughout Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming. In 1967, he accepted a transfer to Case headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin, where he worked as a parts analyst until his retirement in 1984.
In Racine, Art was an active member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection for 45 years, serving as a Trustee, head of ushers, and spending many hours tending the lawns and landscape of the church property. Art was an avid gardener, and especially enjoyed growing tomatoes and other vegetables. The bounty of his garden was unselfishly shared with many friends and neighbors. He enjoyed old cars and spent many years locating and restoring his car from high school, a 1936 Ford. He was also a proud member of the Willie L. Nelson American Legion Post 45 in Hinsdale, MT.
Arthur spent his last hour fondly reminiscing about the childhoods of his children, Al Holter (Nancy Turner) of Los Angeles, California; Marilyn (Dale) Johnson of Spokane, Washington; Helen Holter of Seattle, Washington; and Jennifer Holter of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Gary; his parents John and Karen Holter; and sisters Elsie Kesler and Bertha Vukasin. Art is survived by his wife and children; four grandchildren, Steven R. Johnson, Joseph K. Johnson, Emma Holter and Evan Holter; brother Cap Holter of Glasgow, Montana; and sister Karen Shay of Bremerton, Washington; and close family friend Kim Hitzemann. Also sisters-in-law Margie (Bob) Stefczak of Chetek, Wisconsin, and Joan Melby of Hinsdale, Montana; brother-in-law, Bill Schultz, also of Hinsdale; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St., Friday, February 24, 2012, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Melvin A. Miritz officiating. Relatives and friends may meet Friday at the Church from 10 a.m. until time of service. Private interment will be held at Hillview Cemetery, Hinsdale, MT. Memorials to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection Garden have been suggested.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
