John "Johnny" Hollar

John “Johnny” Hollar, 87, of Milladore, passed away on Friday, Sep. 1, 2023, at home under the care of his family and Compassus Hospice.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1936, in Milladore, to the late Bartl and Margaret (Kusta) Hollar and was a 1954 graduate of Auburndale High School.

John entered the U.S. Army in May of 1954 and was honorably discharged in April of 1957, having served in Germany for one year. Upon his return, he attended Short Course in Madison, WI, where he met Francis Forst who introduced John to Norita Forst at his wedding. John and Norita were married on April 30, 1960, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien, WI. John and Norita have been married for over 63 years.

John purchased his farm in 1958 and remained on the farm until his death. John enjoyed farming and one of his favorite sayings was, “Take it the way it comes and like it.” John was active with the FS cooperative, serving on the Board of Directors and President. He was a board member of Farm Bureau, serving as Director and Secretary. John also served as Town of Milladore Treasurer for several years.  He was a 4-H leader while his children were in 4-H, with all 10 children graduating from the 4-H program.

He loved to travel and take pictures, having traveled to Europe several times after serving there in 1956. He shared with his children the love of travel and that you need to see the world. He also pushed all his kids to secure post-high school degrees at institutions a distance AWAY from the farm. Some of John’s favorite sayings during our youth were: “You can’t learn any younger;” “Live and learn if you live long enough;” and “Do it right the first time.”

Although John did not have a post-secondary degree to his credit, he had a Doctorate in dairy herd health and management; a Master’s in fixing anything that broke with what was available to him on the farm; and a Bachelor’s in finance – never paying for anything if you could not put cash down for at least half of the item you wanted to purchase. John custom combined small grains and corn for many neighbors and family. He enjoyed being out in the woods and in God’s creation. John loved visiting with family and friends, and when anyone was ill, he made it a priority to go visit these folks after chores. It was a difficult transition when his dementia stole that part of John’s personality. Despite not being able to talk, he continued to recognize his family and friends, and was the happiest when family was around. John taught hard work to all his children; a value hard to come by in this new age. We will always remember his signature “wink.” The family extends an appreciative and grateful “thank you” to Addy, John’s faithful caregiver, which allowed him to stay home on the farm.

John is survived by his wife, Norita Ann Hollar of Milladore; children, Denise (Tom) Seckora of Bloomer, Mary Lou (Chuck) Kugel of Shawano, Michael Hollar of Chicago, IL, Carol Hollar Ph.d of Palatine, IL, Barbara Hollar of Rochester, MN, Monica (John) DeLestry of Chippewa Falls, Dawn Hollar of Marshfield, Patrick Hollar of Milladore, Christine Hollar Ed.D of Milladore, Anna Mae (Jason) Kopp of McFarland.

He is further survived by grandchildren, Gregory (Jen) Seckora of Cottage Grove, MN, Janice (John) Robinson of Bloomer, Matthew (Chelsea) Seckora of Eau Claire, Allan Seckora of Bloomer, Megan Kugel of Omro, Aaron (Kendra) Kugel of Oak Creek, Kathryn (Christopher) Pritzl of Green Bay, Laura (Jared) Johnson of Chippewa Falls, Daniel (Hannah) DeLestry of Chicago, IL, Rebekah Kopp and Benjamin Kopp both of McFarland; great-grandchildren, Mariel Robinson, Asher Johnson, Evelyn Seckora, and Oakley Johnson; John’s siblings, James (Karen) of Wisconsin Rapids, Robert (Sharon) of Stevens Point, Eugene (Diane) of Junction City, Lucy Hollar of Crandon, Thomas (Janet) of Sherry, Margaret (Mark) Lubecke of Nekoosa, William (Lynne) of Junction City, and Erma (Russ) Ponshock of Milladore; also, special friend, Ed Gargano of Chicago, IL.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy (who died shortly after childbirth); brother, Donald (Virginia); and grandchild, Karin Seckora.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials would be appreciated to Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI; or a donation to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore, WI, in John’s honor.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore. Burial with full military honors will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home (1010 E. Veterans Pkwy. in Marshfield) with the rosary prayed at 5:30 p.m. Visitation will also be at the church on Friday from 9-11:00 a.m.

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