Mary Ellen Holz

Mary Ellen Holz, 98, died peacefully at her home in Green Bay, Wis. on October 11, 2025, with her loving family by her side.

Mary Ellen was born March 17, 1927 in Green Bay, Wis., to the late James and Arleen Early. She graduated from Green Bay East High School, and went on to pursue her RN degree from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Green Bay.

She married Ward Earl Holz at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Green Bay on August 26, 1950 and together they built an amazing life. The pair enjoyed 64 years of dedication in marriage before Ward passed away in 2014, and had nine children together.

She built a long and distinguished career in nursing, working in Madison and Green Bay before retiring in 1986 as the Director of Nursing for Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Wausau Wi. Her leadership and compassion shaped the care of countless patients and inspired the many nurses who worked under her guidance.

Even more remarkably, she accomplished all of this while raising nine children, a feat that speaks to her resilience, discipline, and deep love for all of those she cared for. Mary Ellen balanced the demands of a large family and a high-pressure career with grace, and was a true inspiration to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. She was a woman with strong values and instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of family, love, commitment and unwavering faith.

Together with her husband Ward, Mary Ellen loved spending time at her cottage with her family. For more than 50 wonderful years, her favorite months were summers at their cottage in Lincoln County on Seven Island Lake. It was here that she taught her daughters and grandchildren how to play her beloved card came Canasta, a hobby that became a tradition while enjoying long days up north. Her children and grandchildren will forever have memories of days spent swimming in the lake, Saturday steak night, water skiing until the sun hit the horizon and dancing to old big band tunes at night.

Mary Ellen is survived by her nine children and their spouses, 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Her children include: Debra (Dennis) Hibray, DePere; Sue (Mark) Pohlkamp, Lake Dubay; Karen (Stuart) Bender, Hamburg; Steven Holz, Fort Atkinson; Christine (Larry) Jacques, Luxemburg; Theresa (Marvin) Gideon, Knoxville, Tenn.; Kathleen (Gordon) Karnopp, Green Bay; David Holz, Green Bay; Gretchen (Todd) Bedore, Suamico.

Mary Ellen is survived by one sister, Julie Boyden, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her grandchildren; Laurie (Adam) Clayton, Bradley (Margaret) Hibray, Erin (Cory Giacoletto) Pohlkamp, Kyle (Chloe Ciarrocchi)Pohlkamp, Joseph (Kenna) Holz, Daniel (Stacy) Holz, Benjamin (Amanda) Holz, Nicholas Jacques, Phillip (Beth) Jacques, Timothy (fiancé, Elizabeth) Jacques, Katie (Chris) McDonald, Kelsey (Philip) Baeten, Jennifer (Nicholas) Dopkins, Ashley Holz, Jason (fiancé, Isabella) Holz, Jessica (Andrew) Van Gorden and Cassandra (Dustin) DeGreef.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ward Holz, who in heaven welcomed her with open arms after 11 long years apart. She is further preceded by her sisters, Patricia Lemke (spouse Warren) and Suzanne McKee (spouse Partrick)

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m, October 17, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Green Bay. Friends may call on Friday October 17th from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45am all at the church. Cotter Funeral Home in De Pere is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with Moments Hospice Foundation. Please consider donating to this wonderful organization that helped the family more than words can express in Mary Ellen’s final days.

Thank you to the staff at Brookview Meadows for providing Mary Ellen a community and place to call home for the last five years. Mary Ellen’s children would like to send a special thanks to Becky, Alyssa and all other staff members at Moments Hospice for their loving care of their mom.