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West Bend Today
By the People, for the People
Longtime West Bend Engineer Carl Holter Dies at 84
Holter, a devoted family man and prolific inventor, is remembered for his kindness, integrity, and quiet dedication.
Apr. 4, 2026 at 3:23am
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The natural landscapes that Carl Holter cherished reflect the quiet grace and devotion that defined his life.West Bend TodayCarl Frederick Thomas Holter, a respected engineer from West Bend, Wisconsin, passed away on March 29, 2026, at the age of 84. Holter had a distinguished career, earning seven patents and working at companies like FMC, Harnischfeger, and ABB Robotics. Outside of work, he was known for his love of woodworking, puzzles, nature, and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. After the death of his first wife Janet in 2017, Holter found love again in 2019 with Diane at the Cedar Community Center, where he lived out his final years.
Why it matters
Holter's life story exemplifies the values of hard work, innovation, and devotion to family that are deeply important to the West Bend community. His legacy as a prolific inventor and dedicated family man will inspire others in the region to follow their passions and cherish their loved ones.
The details
Over the course of his 40-year engineering career, Holter was awarded seven patents, including one for a tower crane design he created while working at FMC Corporation. He moved through roles at several Milwaukee-area manufacturers before retiring in 2000 and starting his own design consulting firm, Puzzleworks, which he ran until 2016. Outside of work, Holter was known for his love of woodworking, puzzles, birdwatching, and annual 'cousins campouts' with his grandchildren. After the death of his wife of 50 years, Janet, in 2017, Holter found love again in 2019 with Diane at the Cedar Community Center in Jackson, Wisconsin, where he spent his final years.
- Holter passed away on March 29, 2026.
- Holter married his first wife, Janet, in 1967.
- Holter and Janet moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin in 1975, where they built the house their family grew up in.
- Janet passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer.
- Holter married Diane in 2022 at the Cedar Community Center in Jackson, Wisconsin, where he lived out his final years.
The players
Carl Frederick Thomas Holter
An 84-year-old engineer from West Bend, Wisconsin who had a distinguished 40-year career, earning seven patents and working at companies like FMC, Harnischfeger, and ABB Robotics. He was known for his kindness, integrity, and devotion to his family.
Janet (Hume) Holter
Holter's first wife of 50 years, who passed away in 2017 after a battle with cancer.
Diane
Holter's second wife, whom he married in 2022 after meeting at the Cedar Community Center in Jackson, Wisconsin.
What’s next
Celebrations of Carl Holter's life will be held at dates to be announced in the near future in both Wisconsin and North Dakota. He will be laid to rest alongside his parents in Hatton, North Dakota.
The takeaway
Carl Holter's life exemplified the Midwestern values of hard work, innovation, and devotion to family that are deeply important to the West Bend community. His legacy as a prolific inventor and dedicated family man will inspire others in the region to follow their passions and cherish their loved ones.
