On October 17th, Gary Weldon Holtane of Waupaca passed away peacefully at home at the age of 79.
Gary grew up in Chicago, the son of second-generation Norwegians. He served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. Upon his discharge, Gary rode his Vespa across Europe, leaving the bike on a sidewalk in Italy with the keys in the ignition before returning to the US. After graduating from the University of Denver, majoring in Economics, in 1963, Gary worked for the Bureau of Labor Statistics as a Labor Economist, followed by sales rep for Papermate Pen Company. On January 17, 1969, Gary met Sharon Zabinski at Yak-Zie’s in Chicago. Ten weeks later he proposed, and June 15th they were married at St. Josaphat Catholic Church. In June 2019, the duo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. In 1971, Gary and Sharon purchased an apartment building in Chicago. While renovating one apartment at a time, they continued in their careers as sales rep and teacher. In October 1973, what would have been a fall canoe trip in Central WI got rained out by storms. To pass the time, Gary and the guys contacted real estate agents in Waupaca to inspect available properties with river access, which was how Gary and Sharon found their farm, where they spent their summers until moving there full-time in 1981. They raised their three children on the farm along with numerous dogs, cats, and sheep (the flock expanding to as large as 275 at one time). Raising sheep was a perfect complement to starting a restaurant. In 1984 Gary established Weasels of Waupaca, a downtown restaurant boasting “pretty-good chili,” lamburgers, Swedish pea soup, and “the best pizza in town on the block.” In Waupaca, Gary was part of the construction crew for the new warming house for the city’s youth hockey league. For several years he coached his sons’ soccer teams. He enjoyed his membership in Waupaca’s curling club. Gary sponsored both men’s and women’s volleyball teams and played himself. Gary always enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed sailing, and when not working on the farm or at the restaurant, he often embarked on bike or canoe trips with friends. As time went on he retired from fishing because, as he jokingly explained, he “didn’t like to harass the fish.” He was also interested in the arts, especially architecture, and was fond of all kinds of music. Gary was known for his clever and quirky sense of humor, but also his underlying warmth. His grandchildren were the light of his life and he invariably made time for them. He was ever-willing to give people second chances or help someone in need. Gary loved bringing people together, and right up until the day he passed, he always tried to keep in touch with old friends. He loved sharing stories, and for good reason—his was a life well-lived.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Ole; his mother, Carla, and his sister, Carolyn. He is survived by his wife, Sharon; sons, Harris (Bonni Rolfs) and Joseph Holtane; daughter Samantha (Tommy) Enright; daughter-in-law, Sam McDaniel; grandchildren: Daniel, Rowen, Liam, Eamon, Esben, and Hazel, as well as many extended family members.
A celebration of life will be held Summer 2021.