Gary L. Hollatz

GARNER - Gary L. Hollatz, 62, of Garner, died Tuesday (March 15, 2005) at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner with the Rev. Henry Friedrich officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, east of Garner.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth St. in Garner, and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Gary Lee Hollatz, the son of LeRoy and Agnes (Pueggel) Hollatz, was born Jan. 27, 1943, on the family farm north of Garner. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, east of Garner. He attended St. John's Parochial School and graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 1961. Following high school, Gary attended Dunwoody Trade School in Omaha, Neb., and then worked for seven years as a mechanic at Kenworth in Omaha. In 1970, he returned to Garner and became the third generation to farm the family farm.

On April 7, 1973, he married Sharon Doorenbos at St. John's Lutheran Church. He continued to farm until 1996.

Gary served on the board of the Farmer's Co-op Society in Garner for nine years, six years as president. He also was a crop insurance agent for Gatchel Insurance in Garner. In 1998, Gary and Sharon moved into Garner. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, visiting with family and friends and supporting the Lord's work.

Gary's faith in the Lord gave his life meaning and purpose. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner where he was active as chairman of the congregation, deacon and was on the evangelism team and the assimilation team. He was a past member of St. John's Lutheran Church, where he served as a trustee.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon of Garner; three children: Jonathan Hollatz of Garner, Brian Hollatz of Porto Alegre, Brazil, and Emily (Adam) Boge of Huxley; a brother, Stephen (Sophia) Hollatz of Naperville, Ill.; a niece and nephew, Allison and Timothy Hollatz; a step-brother, Vern (Pat) Severson of Clear Lake; a step-sister, Sandra (Roger) Aceto of Des Moines; three aunts: Dorothy Hollatz of Garner, Ann Radloff of Garner and Laura Boehnke of Clear Lake; and an uncle, Arnold (Marlys) Pueggel of Clear Lake.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; and his step-mother, Ann Hollatz.

Cataldo Funeral Home, (641) 923-2841.

www.cataldofuneralhome.com.