Paul F. Holsen

Paul F. Holsen passed away peacefully in his home early morning Saturday, May 23rd after a long and courageous six year battle with cancer.

Paul was born on August 5, 1949 in Manitowoc, the son of Paul Holsen Sr. and Catherine (Cannon) Holsen. Paul grew up in the Stevens Point and Wausau. He graduated from Wausau East High School in 1967 and attended UW Stevens Point. Paul served 5 years in the US Navy from 1969 to 1974 as a radioman. His stateside duty station was Charleston, SC and he also did tours in England, Scotland, and Greece. After completing his service, Paul returned to Wisconsin where he worked for the Monroe Times and Manitowoc Herald Times in advertising sales and management. Paul moved to Fond du Lac in 1987 and worked as a sales rep at Holiday Automotive and Holiday Chrysler Jeep until his illness in 2009. He was a passionate model train hobbyist, spending countless hours over several years working on his extensive train layout that occupied his entire basement. Portions of Paul’s layout were featured in several train hobbyist magazines, and just two days before Paul’s death, the editor from Classic Toy Trains, viewed Paul’s train layout and was thoroughly impressed with its scale and detail. His entire layout will be featured in an upcoming issue of the magazine. Paul’s other interests included building model ships, completing the LA and NY Times crossword puzzles, playing Sudoku, and doing anything to challenge his mind. Paul was an avid reader and an expert in world history. Paul obtained his minister’s license in recent years, and he performed marriage ceremonies for friends and family members.

Paul will be dearly missed by his loving wife Kathy, two step-children that he loved as his own, Kori Schneider-Peragine (Michael) of Milwaukee, and Quin Schneider of Fond du Lac; six grandchildren, Blake, Brody, and Corbin Schneider of Fond du Lac; Grace Starks, Lucia and Elenora Peragine of Milwaukee. Paul will also be greatly missed by two sisters, Connie Giese of Missoula, MT; Peg Holsen of Phoenix AZ; his brother James Holsen of Houston TX; two sisters-in-law, Erica Holmquist (Al Blonien) and Joyce Pickart (Richard), of Fond du Lac; three brothers-in-law, Lee (Jeanne), Ken, and Brian (Colleen) Sabel all of Fond du Lac. A brother, Deacon Holsen of Fond du Lac, and a sister, Liz Diamond of Houston TX, preceded him in death.

Per Paul’s request, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Paul’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 27 from 4-7 P.M. at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. In lieu of flowers, donations should be directed to Hospice Hope. Paul’s family wishes to thank each and every hospice care worker for their wonderful care and dedication.