HAROLD HOLMAN
HAROLD HOLMAN
Harold Charles Holman was born March 18, 1937, in Jackson County, WI. He died June 30, 2025, in La Crosse, WI. He was the eldest child of Edwin Harold Holman and Bertha Verena Hefty. His father, Edwin, was a farmer and Harold followed in his footsteps. He was a soft-spoken man and led by example. His faith in the Lord, his character, kindness and respect for others spoke volumes without saying a word. There are memories of him checking in on neighbors, offering a ride to church or just stopping in for a visit. Harold took time for the important things, as reflected in the many people who called, visited or sent messages. A comment made by a friend was, “I’ve never met a more peaceful person, at peace with life.”
Harold attended elementary school at the Tindahl School. In actuality, Harold attended school younger than that. He often recalled and shared the story of The Oaks school, (across the road from his parents’ farm). When he was approximately four years old, he would walk across and play with the girls at recess. After recess, the girls would walk him home. He then graduated from Fairchild High School in 1955. After high school, he attended Short Course at Madison, WI, for two winters. Over the years, he milked dairy cows and raised springing Holstein heifers, registered polled Herefords and an assortment of sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens, dogs and cats.
In 1964, he married Alice Mary Radatz, and they later divorced. They had three children (which included a surprise set of twins), daughters Cherie and Carol, followed by a son, Bradley. Harold remarried and had the joy of helping to raise a new set of girls, Amanda and Rachel. He later divorced, then continued farming until selling his cattle and retiring from farming in 2022 at 85 years old. Harold moved to live with his daughter and son-in-law in Lansing, IA, for two and a-half years where he successfully (mostly) mastered the mysteries of the TV remote for his sports. Harold was an avid sports fan, a faithful follower of the Minnesota Twins (not the Brewers), the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Bucks - though he would never turn down the opportunity to watch the Wisconsin Badgers - be it football, basketball or women’s volleyball. Throughout his years, he enjoyed playing baseball, square-dancing, bowling on a league and even golfing. He was a member of the NFO and spent many hours eating “practice” fair food entries (eight angel food cakes from scratch), and preparing all of the 4-H projects and animals over the years: dairy, Herefords, rabbits, pigs and sheep. He would always plant a garden and took great pleasure in this, even when picking the potato bugs. When he was able, he would go to Cain’s Orchard to pick blueberries. He didn’t need so many berries, but enjoyed it so much, he returned multiple times per season.
Harold was an active participant with his church, Price Lutheran, and then later with South Beef River. He taught, ushered, served communion, whatever was asked. After he divorced, he didn’t bring food to funerals or pot lucks, so he would help the ladies in the kitchen by washing dishes. More than once, he said, “I washed and washed.”
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Bertha Holman.
He is survived by his children, Cherie Lynn Hennes of Plainfield, WI, Carol Marie Gaunitz (Jeffrey) of Lansing, IA, Bradley Charles Holman (Kristine) of Anchorage, AK; and grandchildren Jason Charles Hennes, Alex Charles Hennes (Nati), Matthew James Gaunitz (Teresa), Alisha Anne Gaunitz and Nicole Verena Gaunitz. He is also survived by great-grandchildren Samara, Delilah and Amelia Hennes; stepdaughters Amanda Anibas (Kamren) and Rachel Houser (Donald); step-grandchildren Jori and Shea Anibas and Della Houser; and a sister Elaine Homan (Ken) of Waupan, WI.
Funeral arrangements are as follows: Visitation will be Tuesday, July 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home, 312 South Stone St., Augusta, WI 54722. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at the South Beef River Church, N12798 Old 27 Rd, Osseo, WI 54758. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, N13066 Co. Hwy T, Fairchild, WI 54741.