John "Louie" Louis "Louie" Gort

John Louis "Louie" Gort, age 74 of Hollandale passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014. He was born on April 6, 1940 to Baptist and Alice (Herger) Gort. He grew up in rural Hollandale and attended the Prairie School near his home, and later graduated from Hollandale High School in 1957. Louie joined the Army in 1959 and he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. In 1960, after serving his country Louie ran a small dairy farm with his family. On July 26, 1969 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mineral Point he married Marcia Rae Ley, and they farmed together. In his later years he sold his cows and kept busy working his land and working for a local co-op.

Louie is survived by his wife of 45 years Marcia of rural Mineral Point, children Janice (Chad) Sherven of rural Mount Horeb, Steve (Amy) Gort of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Kevin (Christy Klosterman) Gort of rural New Glarus, and Jeff (Jillian) Gort of Lodi; a brother Charlie (Rosamarie) Sigg of rural Mineral Point; and sister Susan (Wesley) Watrud of rural Blanchardville; a sister-in-law Shirley Sigg of rural Hollandale; grandchildren Matthew, Josh, Joey, Nate, Elise, Maya, and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Joe Sigg; and a sister Mary Ferrell.

Louie was fighting cancer, but was taken suddenly by a heart attack. When Louie was diagnosed with cancer his bucket list had one main item. And, fortunately, just weeks before his passing he was able to take his trip of a lifetime to Alaska. Louie was widely known and will be missed by many.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hollandale. Fr. Thomas Gillespie will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in rural Hollandale. A visitation will be held on Thursday evening, August 21, 2014 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hollandale. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the American Heart Association. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com