Norita “Rita” (Forst) Hollar

Norita “Rita” Hollar, 83, of Milladore, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 12, 2023. She was born on July 24, 1940, in Prairie du Chien, to the late Leonard and Leona (Becwar) Forst and was a 1958 graduate of Prairie du Chien High School.

Norita worked at Farmco as a secretary prior to meeting her future husband through her brother Francis.  Norita married John Hollar on April 30, 1960 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien and moved to Milladore, WI.  Norita was a homemaker for 63 years raising ten children, eight girls and two boys.  She was active in the St. Wenceslaus Altar Society, planning widely successful church dinners, known for her poppyseed coleslaw dressing and “secret” poppyseed filling for kolaches. Norita lead the rosary at St. Wenceslaus parish on Sunday mornings until her death.  She was the knitting leader with the North County Line 4-H Club and was also active in Farm Bureau being the Women’s Chairman. 

Norita was a “master baker” making 12 to 18 loaves of white, rye with caraway seeds, or wheat bread in one sitting; two or three loaves being devoured within minutes of leaving the oven, smothered in butter.   She would bake rolls, kolaches, donuts, cinnamon rolls, sour cream twists, and so much more.  She could NOT pass up a new cookbook and read every page. Making a note of recipes to try and if tried minor adjustments noted or “no good” never to be made again.  

Norita enjoyed traveling to Europe several times with her husband to England, Rome, and to visit extended family in the Czech Republic.  She hosted multiple “grandchildren” weeks at the farm during the summer having fun with the grandchildren prior to them “growing up” and getting jobs.  Family gatherings of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her great joy.

Norita is survived by her 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.

She is further survived by grandchildren, Gregory (Jen) Seckora, Janice (John) Robinson, Matthew (Chelsea) Seckora, Allan Seckora, Megan Kugel, Aaron (Kendra) Kugel, Kathryn (Christopher) Pritzl, Laura (Jared) Johnson, Daniel (Hanna) DeLestry, Rebekah Kopp and Benjamin Kopp. Great-grandchildren, Mariel Robinson, Asher Johnson, Evelyn Seckora, and Oakley Johnson; Rita’s siblings, Marilyn (John) Piechowski of Redgranite, Dianne (Ron) Goodman of Prairie du Chien, Sister-in- Laws; Catherine Forst of Janesville, Teresa Forst of McGregor, IA, Edna Forst of Prairie du Chien.  With in-laws Karen Deranick 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 her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her husband John, brothers:  Gerald, Francis, Roger, and Dennis Forst.  In-law’s Donald (Virginia) Hollar, Jimmy Hollar, 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 Norita’s honor.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Milladore.  Burial will follow at the parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 – 7:00 p.m. Friday 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 Saturday from 9-11:00 a.m.

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