John Holtan

John Thomas Holtan, 66, passed away unexpectedly on July 4, 2026, following a brief illness.

Born in Madison, Wisconsin, to Vern and Patricia (Oscar) Holtan, John spent his early childhood in Stevens Point before his family settled in Appleton, where he graduated from Appleton East High School in 1977. He continued his education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, graduating in 1982. From an early age, John approached life with curiosity, optimism, and an adventurous spirit that would guide him wherever the road led.

John is survived by his loving wife of nearly 36 years, Karen Holtan (Cyr); his daughters, Kristen and Nicole, who were the pride and joy of his life; his father, Vern Holtan of Stoughton, Wisconsin; his brother, David Holtan and David’s partner, Tori Gerette, of Madison, Wisconsin; and his sister, Susan Holtan of Sedona, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Patricia Holtan (Oscar), and his dear brother, Peter Holtan.

Long before John’s own kindness, optimism, and adventurous spirit touched so many lives, they were first nurtured by the example of his parents. From his father, he learned strength, wisdom, humility, and the value of hard work. From his mother, he inherited a joyful optimism, a kind heart, and an appreciation for life’s simple blessings. Family trips and adventures with his parents and siblings sparked a lifelong love of travel and togetherness that would become a defining thread throughout John’s life. He carried those gifts with him wherever he went, freely sharing them with everyone fortunate enough to know him.

John’s adventurous spirit first led him west while still in high school, when he spent a summer working at a resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Teton Mountains, he discovered a lifelong love for mountain life, wide open spaces, and the excitement of exploring somewhere new.

After graduating from Luther College, John settled in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he spent four unforgettable years immersed in mountain life. He worked in property management, proudly served as a volunteer firefighter, and embraced every opportunity to ski, hike, and enjoy the outdoors. It was there, through a mutual friend, that he met Karen, both originally from Appleton, but they had never met. There, they built the foundation of a lifelong friendship and partnership that would shape everything that followed. By the time John left Colorado, he had discovered passions that would stay with him for the rest of his life, formed enduring friendships, and embraced the adventurous spirit that would carry him around the world.

Before long, John’s adventurous spirit led him across the Atlantic to Heidelberg, Germany, where he embraced an entrepreneurial opportunity that perfectly combined his love of travel, people, and new experiences. There, he co-built a sporting goods company serving U.S. military installations throughout Europe into a thriving enterprise, traveling to military installations in fifteen countries. Every journey became an opportunity to experience new cultures, build lasting friendships, and embrace the adventure of life abroad. It was a chapter he reflected on with immense pride and gratitude.

In 1987, Karen joined John in Germany. They were married in the historic Heidelberg Castle on August 24, 1990, beginning nearly 36 years of marriage filled with adventure, laughter, and unwavering love. Together they spent five remarkable years building a life abroad, traveling throughout Europe whenever they could, forming friendships that remain among their most treasured to this day, and embracing every opportunity to experience the world together. Those years shaped not only the stories they would tell for the rest of their lives, but also the life they would eventually build together back home in Wisconsin.

After five years abroad, John and Karen returned to Wisconsin to begin the next, and perhaps most meaningful, chapter of their lives. It was there they built a life together, welcomed daughters Kristen and Nicole, and embraced the joys, challenges, and adventures of raising a family. Whether it was family vacations, water sports at Grandma “Mimi’s”, exploring new places, or simply enjoying life’s everyday moments together, those years became some of John’s most treasured memories. While his travels had taken him around the world, he found his greatest adventure in being a husband and father.

Alongside building a family, John built a long and fulfilling career with Associated Appraisal Consultants, where he was known for his integrity, remarkable work ethic, and genuine appreciation for the people he worked with. John often said he “never worked a day in his life,” because to him, work was never simply about earning a living. It was an opportunity to serve others, solve problems, and take pride in a job well done. That same mindset remained with him long after retirement.

His lifelong love of aviation led him to Allegiant Air at Appleton International Airport. As a part-time Ground Operations Agent, John spent his days marshaling arriving and departing aircraft, and working alongside a team of employees he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with. Whether guiding an aircraft safely to the ramp or stacking suitcases with precision, John found genuine joy in every day. It was the perfect combination of two things he loved most: people and airplanes.

Retirement also gave John the gift of spending even more time at another place that meant so much to him: the Holtan family farm near Stoughton. Home to five generations of Holtans since 1846, the farm had been woven into John’s life since childhood. As the years passed, it became more than a place filled with memories. It became a place of purpose and a labor of love with his dad, brother and other family members. Together they cared for the land, maintained trails through the woods, planted trees, and preserved a place that had shaped generations of their family. One of John’s greatest joys was taking his father on long rides through the woods and across the rolling hills he lovingly called “Paradise.”

With Kristen and Nicole making their homes in Florida, retirement also brought a new season of family adventures. Every visit became another opportunity to create new memories together. From the magic of Disney and Universal in Orlando to the southernmost point of Key West, John treasured every mile in between with his daughters, always ready for the next laugh, the next adventure, or simply another day spent together. For John, there was no greater joy than watching his daughters build lives they loved while continuing to make memories alongside them.

Whether he was casting a line at fishing camp, hunting in the fall, admiring classic cars, attending air shows, tinkering with his beloved Japanese mini truck, riding his ATV, or simply sharing a laugh with family and friends, John had a remarkable ability to make ordinary days feel extraordinary. He found joy in life’s simple pleasures and had a way of helping everyone around him do the same. His familiar greetings and favorite sayings, “Top of the day!”, “Now we’re cookin’ with gas!”, and “The early bird gets the worm!”, became part of the soundtrack of life for everyone who knew and loved him.

His family finds great comfort in knowing that John lived a life filled with purpose, adventure, laughter, and love. They remain committed to carrying forward the light and joy he shared so freely by celebrating cherished memories, caring for others with the same generosity he showed, choosing gratitude each day.

John’s family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support they have received. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.