Gordon Holten

1931 - 2025

Gordon Holten

April 25, 1931 - July 14, 2025

Mr. Gordon L. Holten, age 94, of Shawano, passed away peacefully on Monday July 14, 2025, surrounded by his family. Gordon was born on April 25, 1931, in Madison, the son of the late Louis B. and Ethel (Johnson) Holten. He lived with his family in Deerfield, Wis., graduating from Deerfield High School with the class of 1949. During all his high school years he was active in sports and forensics. Following high school he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His college education was interrupted in 1951 by the Korean War when he enlisted with the United States Air Force, serving two years in the war zone on the island of Okinawa. Upon his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant after four years of service, he resumed his college education graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1957 with a math major.

In 1957, Gordon began his career with Aid Association for Lutherans now called Thrivent Financial, a fraternal benefit society located in Appleton, Wis., as an actuarial student. There he met his future wife, Marilyn Arnold, who was also employed with AAL. They were married in 1958 and raised a family of three children and had enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Gordon enjoyed a successful 30-year career with AAL in fields of computer systems, corporate planning and fraternal operations, retiring in 1987 as a Senior Vice President.

Before Gordon could enjoy a life of retirement, he was recruited by a newly formed Appleton organization, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, to assist with their start-up. He began as the Development Director, later assumed the Executive Director position, and retired in 1991 when he and Marilyn moved to the Shawano area to start their postponed retirement.

During his life, Gordon enjoyed family life and activities including golfing, woodworking, producing family videos and genealogy. He was also an active community volunteer including leadership positions in Lutheran congregations in Appleton Trinity, Shawano Zion, and as Vice President of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, Appleton. He was also active with the Shawano Rural Health Initiative, Shawano Area Community Foundation, Rotary Clubs in Appleton and Shawano where he received three Paul Harris awards from Rotary International and with the A-to-Z Investment Club of Shawano.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Marilyn; children, Cheryl (Dave) Switalla, Appleton, Wis., Mark Holten, New London, Wis., and David (Michele) Holten, De Pere, Wis.; grandchildren, Emily (Tony) Zastrow, Matthew Holten, Taylor Holten, Adam Holten, Kira Switalla, Kayla Switalla, Jennifer Switalla, Katie Holten, Natalie Holten and Thomas Holten; great-granddaughter, Callie Jo Zastrow; siblings, Annette (Bob) Kolek, Stoughton, Wis.. Rev. John (Anita) Holten, South Bend, Ind.; and brother-in-law, Don (Pat) Arnold, Gresham, Wis. He is further survived by many nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Gordon is preceded by his parents, Louis and Ethel Holten.

A funeral service for Gordon will be held at 11 a.m., on July 19, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church Shawano with Pastor Scott Ludford officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Military honors will be held at the church. Inurnment will be held at Lake Drive Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Zion Lutheran Church in Shawano and Shawano Area Community Foundation.

Swedberg Funeral Home

518 W. 5th Street Shawano, WI 54166

715-526-2631