Howard J. Gillitzer

Howard J. Gillitzer age 80 of Prairie du Chien, WI died on Wednesday, February 7, 2018.He was born Feb. 3, 1938 to Carrie (Ocenosak) and Lawrence Gillitzer. Graduating from Campion in 1955 he entered the novitiate of the Order of the Holy Cross in Hastings Nebraska. Two years later was sent to Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Syracuse, Indiana and four years later to Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minnesota. The next twenty years were spent in Administration, College Financial Aid and Fund Raising. In 1980 he left the Crosiers, worked in Production Development and Contracts for the Opportunity Center and retired in 2003. In 1981 he married Arleen St. Jacque Wachter who preceded him in death in 2012. He was actively involved with Holy Family Parish having served various ministries and Boards. He is survived by step children: Gina (Neil) Wimmer of St. Charles, MN; Bill (Dawn) Wachter of Woodman, WI; Randy (Janet) Wachter and Dan (Julie) Wachter, of Prairie du Chien; 9 grand children, 10 great grandchildren, two sisters, Virginia Horstman, LaCrosse, WI and Marian Steele of Madison, WI, a brother-in-law Jim St. Jacque of Boscobel and a sister-in-law Marilyn (Ron) Smethurst of Onalaska, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Arleen and brothers-in-law Roger Horstman and Bill Steele.

A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, February 23, 2018 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Church of the Holy Family Parish with burial in Calvary Cemetery both in Prairie du Chien.  Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:00 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Prairie du Chien Hospice Program or the Prairie Catholic Schools.  

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