Theodore J. Holen
June 02, 1925 - March 15, 2019
Obituary
MONONA-Theodore J. “Ted” Holen, age 93, of Monona, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, March 15, 2019 at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on June 2, 1925, in Madison, Wis., the son of Theodore and Gusta (Sveen) Holen. Ted lived in the Madison area his whole life. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1943 and the University of Wisconsin in 1950, majoring in business. Ted married Betty J. Dersch on April 24, 1954, in Madison, Wis., at Bethel Lutheran Church. They were married for 62 wonderful years. Ted served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, as a Tail Gunner on B-17 bombers. He was a member of the 303rd Bomb Group stationed at Molesworth, England during the war. He was wounded on a mission over Merseburg, Germany on Aug. 24, 1944 and awarded the Purple Heart. Ted was self-employed as a home builder and worked in real estate for most of his life. He built numerous homes in the Madison area. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. Ted enjoyed fishing, hunting, University of Wisconsin football and basketball, Packers, and Brewers. He was an avid reader of history books, Outdoor News, and current event periodicals. Most important to him was spending time with family. He loved his time with family at the hunting cabin near Muscoda, the cottage on Lake Alice in Tomahawk, and the annual Holen Family Christmas in Wisconsin Dells. His frequent visits with his sisters were especially important to him. Ted is survived by his son, Eric (Lori) Holen; daughter, Karen (Greg) Kehring; five grandchildren, Nathun (Beth) Holen, Sarah Holen, Gregorey (Jill) Kehring, Jacob (Tina) Kehring and Jarrod (Allie) Kehring; three great-grandchildren, Quinn and Ethun Holen and Lucy Kehring; sisters, Geneva Eggers and Carolyn Kunkle; sister-in-law, Jane Holen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife; brothers, Harlen and Glenn Holen; sister, Yvonne Schroeder; and brothers-in-law, Don Schroeder, Larry Eggers and Tom Kunkle. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, 2019. Burial will be held at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Thursday. Memorials may be made to honorflight.org, takeavetfishing.org, or the Empty Stocking Club. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Thu Mar 21, 2019 @ 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Thu Mar 21, 2019 @ 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Theodore have been shared yet.
Memories
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Connie
Other •
Ted was known to me as Stub a good friend and relative, He was a prankster., who liked fishing, loved his beer. As a kid I once answered our phone and a voice said is your dad home I said no, them he asked if my mom was and I said no he said are you all alone and I said yes. He said do you know who this is and I said no. Then I got it about how I should never do that . That always stayed with me as a good lesson.
He was a caring hard working man that I will miss. So happy I was able to know him.
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Brent Ethun
Other •
I just got a call from Karen Ethun letting me know that your Father had passed. I'm very sorry to hear that but glad to know he didn't suffer very long. I have many great memories of our families boating together on the Mississippi River and camping on the sand bars. Those were definitely fun times. I really enjoyed both of your parents and hanging out with you both, Eric and Karen. I live in Dallas now so I'm unable to attend the services but I definitely would have if I was in the Madison area. You and your family will be in my prayers. Take care. Brent Ethun
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Kathie Baxter
Other •
Ted was a joy! Whenever asked “how are you today?” His answer was always ......”perfect!” The first time I met him and his lovely sister, she mentioned that he was older than her and he promptly answered...”yes, that’s true, but I am cuter”. He was a kind, gentle soul that will be greatly missed by all of his neighbors here in the condo.
GP
Gwen Peirce
Other •
Ted was a gem!! You could not find a nicer person. He and my husband Jim used to exchange helping each other back and forth. Jim had so much respect for him. He also learned a lot of carpentry skills from Ted. So I hope the two of them are together again discussing all the fishing and hunting. May you rest in peace Ted!!
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Nina Bellanti
Other •
Rodney Johnson Family
We were all very sad to learn of the passing of such a dear friend, we were honored to consider Stub a member of our family. He was such a good friend to our father and we all feel that our lives were better for having known him. The sadness is a little hard to maintain as so many wonderful and funny stories instantly come to mind when we think of him. Our thoughts are with you.
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Steve Ascher
Other •
I knew Ted as Stub! He was a very close family friend and was in and out of my life since the day I was born. He taught me so much about what continues to be important to me today; the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting and skeet shooting on Swanton Rd., and the farm on Milwaukee St. In the 1960's he showed me how to safely handle firearms and at the age of 12, encouraged me to take a Hunter's Safety Course. I witnessed Stub throughout several building projects, admiring him for his ability to do all necessary calculating in his head and not the use of a calculating machine, ever! I feel very fortunate to have had him as my life-long friend. Proud to say he was a terrific mentor.