John Avolt Gatz

1929 -2023

God gave John the gift of life on June 25, 1929, in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. He was the second oldest child of the five children of Avolt and Hannah (Johnson) Gatz. John was a big 12-pound 10-month baby! God claimed John as His own precious child through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism on July 28, 1929, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. John loved his Lord and later confirmed his faith in Jesus Christ in the same church on June 20, 1943.

John grew up in Port Edwards and attended public schools’ graduating from Port Edwards High School. He was blessed with a keen mind and graduated from the University of Wisconsin earning a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in June of 1951. After passing all necessary Board exams, John became a registered pharmacist. He then proudly served his country with distinction in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from his military service, he began his pharmacist career in Racine, then Milwaukee and then Waukesha all in Wisconsin.

While working in Milwaukee, John met Janet Marilyn Fox on a blind date. This date was life changing. John was smitten. They fell in love and were married on August 18, 1956, in Milwaukee. Their marriage was a great one! God blessed them with two wonderful children: Jamie and Jodie.

In 1961, John purchased his first Pharmacy in Richland Center, Wisconsin. To escape the brutal winters of Wisconsin, John and family moved to New Braunfels, Texas, in 1971, and purchased Landa Pharmacy where John would enjoy working until his retirement in 2004. He and Janet built their dream home with a magnificent indoor swimming pool which John had done much of the architectural designs when he was in high school.

John lived an adventurous and full life. He loved his family and his church. He was a lifelong Lutheran who loved his Lord, faithfully read his Bible with daily devotions, took time to pray for others, and before his health declined, seldom missed worshiping in God’s house on Sundays. He was an avid traveler and for many years enjoyed numerous trips throughout the USA and had fun visiting many countries including China, Russia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America etc. He was an exceptional landscaper whose huge yard with majestic oak trees, 2 ponds with goldfish, was an array of vibrant colors from azaleas, roses, irises, camellias, pansies, begonias, etc. He was a good cook and baker. John had a sweet tooth and always had dessert with every meal. Some of his favorites were chocolate cake, coconut cream pie, French Silk pie, chocolate bourbon pecan pie and brownies. Even though John was from Wisconsin, he did not like cheese; however, he could eat his weight in butter. John always enjoyed the entertainment and beautiful grounds at Disneyland, Disney World, Sea World and Six Flags amusement parks. He had an appreciation and love for good music and plays. He was also a skilled photographer.

At the age of 93 years, John entered eternal life April 20, 2023. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. We entrust him to God’s loving care.

John is preceded in death by:

his wife: Janet (Fox) Gatz

his parents: Avolt and Hannah Gatz

his brother: Robert Gatz and wife, Jane James Gatz

John is survived by his daughters:

Jamie Gatz

Jodie Beck and husband, Larry

his 6 grandchildren: Jennifer Matteson, Traci Strawser, John Garan, Coleen Garan, Christian Beck and Jeffrey Beck

his 7 great-grandchildren: Collin, Astaria, Billy, James, Evan, Kayla and Peyton

his brothers: William Gatz and wife, Trudy Jerry Gatz and wife, Laurel and other relatives and friends