Arthur Holle 01/14/2026

Arthur John Holle died peacefully in his sleep on January 14th, 2026 at the age of 85.

Art was born near Baldwin, WI on September 20, 1940. He graduated from New Richmond High School in 1958 and continued his education at both UW River Falls and UW Stout to eventually earn a Master’s Degree in Audiovisual Education in 1973.

In May of 1967 he married Judy Bethke. They lived together in Marshfield, WI while Art taught history at Auburndale High School. In 1973, Art and Judy bought a cabin on Lower Pine Lake which he turned into a home and gathering place for his large, extended family. Art began teaching at Rice Lake High School as a Media Specialist. Together they raised three children; Karah, Karl and Kris. They enjoyed their time on the lake until his retirement in 1996.

Arthur enjoyed traveling. He drove his family on several summer vacations across the US including to the 1984 Olympics and Disneyworld. His travels included all 50 states and their capitals, most National Parks, and international stops in Russia, France, Switzerland, Italy, London, the Panama Canal, Mexico—and more.

Arthur was very active in Scouting and served as a Scoutmaster and camp cook for many years. His other hobbies included completing crossword puzzles, carpentry, watching old westerns, attending his grandchildren’s events, going to local high school basketball games (including the annual state tournament in Madison), and occasionally smoking a Dutch Masters cigar while the sun went down.

Arthur is survived by his children Karah (Jason Dreis) Holle, Karl (Laura) Holle and Kristofer (Sara) Holle, and by his grandchildren Ian Holle, London Dreis, Roman Dreis, Mara Holle and Jillian Holle.

Arthur is also survived by his siblings Donna Mork, Allen (Mary) Holle, Gayle (Gary) Nason, Rod (Kathy) Holle, Sheri (Darrell) Stoddard, Mike (Sheila) Holle, Patti Hanson, Terry Holle; brothers-in-law Chuck Bethke and Jerry Cody; sisters-in-law Shirley Bethke, Sharon Tarnowski, Linda Schmidt, and Bonnie (Paul) Gerhman; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him greatly.

Arthur is preceded in death by his wife, Judy Holle; his parents, Donald and Jeanette Holle; sister Earlene Zevenbergen; brothers-in-law Neal Mork, Robert Bethke, David Bethke, Don Tarnowski, Steve Schmidt, and sister-in-law Cindy Cody.

A special thanks to the staff at the Deerfield and Art’s personal guardian angel, Amber Holle, for taking such good care of him during his time there.

A celebration of life is being held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 3:00-6:00PM at West Immanuel Lutheran Church (447 180th St) Osceola, Wisconsin.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to The Boys Scouts of America, West Immanuel Lutheran Church or Luther Point Bible Camp. 

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.