William R. Holsen, “Hudda,” age 91, passed away February 4,2025, from prostate cancer. He was born September 18, 1933, to Alban and Amanda (Klackner) Holsen.
Bill was an alumnus of Holy Innocents Catholic School, graduating from Lincoln High with the class of 1952. He then served in the Korean War with the Special Troop Command of the US Army. In 2016, he had the privilege to go on The Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington DC. Following his honorable discharge, he enrolled at the Manitowoc County Teachers College. On November 9, 1957, he married Carol Fictum and together they celebrated 67 years of marriage.
Bill was Manager of the sporting goods department of Sears, then Procurement and Sales Manager for Holiday House of Manitowoc. During this time, he was honored to be chosen by The Kennedy Foundation to speak at seminars at DePaul University and the University of St. Louis on how to market products made by the handicapped. He then developed, and was President of, the North Lakes Gift Shows with one of his shows being the “Wisconsin Gift Show.”
Bill played semi-pro football and was starting Fullback with the Manitowoc Chiefs football during which time they won two Championships in 1956 and 1957. He especially enjoyed spending time at the cottage with his family, fishing, hunting, golfing, curling, alpine skiing. Bill had a great sense of humor and loved to tell a good story. He was a member of the Two Rivers Curling Club and a life member of Elks Lodge 687. For many years, together with his wife Carol, he wintered at Indian Lake Estates Florida to enjoy friends and golf.
Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons Timothy Holsen (Jamie Flagstad), Todd (Lisa) Holsen; four grandchildren, Eric (Haley) Holsen, Houston TX, Rachel (Aaron) Kobes, Maribel WI, Mitchell Holsen, Brian (Carly) Holsen, Manitowoc; great grandchildren, Parker and Brooks Kobes, Archer, Dominic, Roman and Penelope Holsen; brother/sister-in-law Robert Fictum and Shirley Jurkevich.
He was preceded in death by two infant sons, his parents, sister, four-year-old Carol, brothers Robert (Betty) Holsen and Edward (Carole) Holsen; his wife’s parents, Frank and Martha Fictum, sister/brothers-in-law Jane (Vic) Wigand, Donald (lmogene) Fictum, and Alan Jurkevich.
Thank you to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Hospice of Sheboygan Falls for their loving care.
Private services were held. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
