Margarete “Oma” M. Holaus

Holaus, Margarete M. “Oma” Passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025. Age 103 (2 months shy of 104.) After a life well lived. She joined her beloved husband, Frederick Holaus. Loving mother to Frederick L. (Becky) Holaus, and Heinz Karl (Judith) Holaus. Cherished grandmother to Eric (Georgia) Holaus, Lisa (Robert) Rammelt, Laura SiiKarla Holaus, and Cynthia (Billy) Eckert Belke. An honorable mention to Sondheim, Mayzie and Penny.  Great-grandmother to Bradyn Holaus, Teagan Holaus, Devin Holaus, Maya Siikarla, Kaitlin Belke, and Michael Belke. Sister to Hermina (Joseph) Rychtarik. Aunt to Elfrieda “Elfie” Liford, Joseph Jr. (Barbara) Rychtarik. Great-aunt to Sherri (Steve) Bramlett and Terri Sue (Michael) Monark.

Margarete was born October 16, 1921 in Vienna, Austria. She completed a sewing apprenticeship after High School to become an accomplished seamstress. She was introduced to Frederick Holaus, they were married in 1940 in Vienna. They had two sons Frederick born in 1941 and Heinz born in 1944. She raised the boys alone until Fred came home from the war. They lived in Vienna until his sister who was living in United States convinced him to bring his family to America where life would be better. Margarete didn’t want to leave her Vienna but would miss her Oma most of all.

In 1955 they fared the choppy waters of the Atlantic Ocean for seven days on the ship Atalia out of Hamburg. They arrived in America settling in Waterloo, Wisconsin in late April and started working two days later. Both Fred “Fritz” and Margarete worked at Kress Meat Packing Plant. By 1958 they had saved enough money for a down payment to build a house on Crestview Drive. When Kress Meat Packing closed in 1966 the family moved to Milwaukee where jobs were plentiful. They bought a house near Mount Mary College on 95^th and Burleigh. They both worked for Kohls Foods.

Her Fritz passed away in 1971. Mayfair Shopping Center was just down the street and around the corner where Margarete found a new pastime, shopping. She enjoyed lunch with friends at Alioto’s and traveling to Europe, revisiting her homeland and countries she had not seen before. She had a good sense of humor about herself and the innocent things she said in confusion of the English language. We never knew what she would say next.

She occupied herself with sewing beautiful clothes. Fur coats with winter muffs, long party dresses and whatever she could imagine out of bits and pieces of fabric leftover trims. And cannot forget to mention her love of cooking. Beef Goulash, Austrian Apple Strudel, Kuepferl (butter horns), Kraut Flakel, Schnitzel, Wurst n Kraut and Pork Hocks. No one ever left her house hungry or before having a good cup of coffee with a wonderful something she just baked.

She was a strong independent woman who preferred to do things herself to prove she still could…and she could until 2019 when she moved to an independent senior apartment for two years, then after having a slight stroke we found Auberge Oak Village Memory Care. She was there for nearly four years. Prior to becoming a resident, doctors gave her a prognosis of three to six months. Little did they know who they were dealing with! On August 15, 2025 Margarete was 2 months shy of 104. She just couldn’t wait any longer to go home to her heavenly Vienna.

Auf Wiedersehen dear Oma! As you used to say “That’s it”

Gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield from 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Memorial Service at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

In lieu of flowers you may wish to contribute to The Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter at 620 South 76^th Street, Suite 160 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214 https://www.alz.org/wi or your local HAWS Animal Shelter. https://hawspets.org/