Margaret Ann Holt

December 8, 2017.

Margaret A. Kretzschmar Holt was born at home in Cozy

Valley, Mellen, WI, on April 4, 1921, to Oscar and Ella (née

Franke) Kretzschmar. She graduated from Mellen High

School in 1939.

A true, original Rosie the Riveter, during World War ll,

Margaret was employed as a welder for Cadillac Motors in

Detroit, MI. She was an arc welder and credited with building

M5 tanks.

She married George Holt on July 26, 1944. Together, during

their 41 year union, they owned and operated several

successful restaurants including The Top Of The 20th in

Peoria, IL. He preceded her in death on April 18, 1985.

Margaret was further preceded in death by her daughter

Cynthia Braasch of Peoria, IL; her parents; Oscar and Ella

Kretzschmar of Mellen, WI, brothers; Paul, Oscar, Karl,

Richard, and Walter, sisters; Helen, Elizabeth, and Anna.

Margaret is survived by three children; George Holt of

Sarasota, FL, Dennis Holt of Peoria, IL, and Vicky Kernan of

NJ; six grand children and eleven great grand children.

Margaret was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in

Peoria, IL. Additionally, Margaret was an avid supporter and

volunteer of the South Side Mission in Peoria.

A Memorial Service and celebration of Margaret's long and

beautiful life will be held the summer of 2018 at the Immanuel

Lutheran Church in Mellen, WI. Burial will take place in the

Cozy Valley at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The South

Side Mission.