Glen C. Holecek, 93, of Centuria, Wisconsin, passed away in his home on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. He was born on March 23, 1931, in Garner, Iowa, the son of Charles and Mae Holecek. He attended school in Hayfield, Iowa. He had to quit school and take over the farm as his father was seriously hurt in a tractor accident.
Glen farmed until Feb. 14, 1952, when he went into the United States Air Force for four years. He was an electrician on the F-86 fighter jet at the Duluth Alert Base.
On July 27, 1952, he married Darlene Smidt. They were married in White Falls, Texas.
After his tour of duty, Glen came home and continued farming in Iowa. In 1963 he bought a farm in Hager City, Wisconsin. He did a lot of custom combining work in the Ellsworth, Wisconsin area. He worked for Jacques Seed Company picking corn and beans, and he also worked at the Ellsworth Creamery.
In 1986 he and Darlene moved to White Ash Lake, in Polk County, Wisconsin. There, he fished and ran the weed harvester on the lake for many years.
In 2022 they moved to Centuria. Glen enjoyed riding Harleys and then a Harley trike. He had fun on his ATV with his group of friends. He was a member of the American Legion for 64 years and a member of a Christian motorcycle club. He was an Apple River Community Church member, trustee and greeter for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene; children, Deb Arneson (friend Mike), Steve (Denise) Holecek, Lori Tyler (John) and Randy (Nancy) Holecek; brother, Clyde (Connie) Holecek; four grandchildren, Jamie, Derek, Jeremy and Kensya; and seven great-grandchildren, Mason, Adam, Austin, Scout, Steelin, Collin and Vinney. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Marie Holecek; sister, Phyllis (Nedved) Holecek; and one great-granddaughter, Dottie Stensrud.
He was laid to rest at the Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Spooner, Wisconsin on Thursday, Oct. 31, with full military honors.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Apple River Community Church on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be at the church from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.
