TOMAH - Hollis B. Herbison, age 95, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at his home. He was born in the Town of Pilsen, Bayfield County, WI, on December 20, 1928, to Richard and Esther (Reed) Herbison.
Hollis graduated from Potosi, WI High School where he was both valedictorian and bottom of his graduating class (yes, he was the only student). Hollis followed his father into the field of education, attending Juneau County Teachers College and obtaining a teaching certificate in 1950. He began his teaching career with 44 students, grades 1 through 8, in a one-room country school in Grand Marsh, WI. He then moved on to Adams, WI where he taught 4th grade and his “extra duties as assigned” included 7th grade chorus, boys basketball, and driving school bus on emergency runs. Hollis’s summer jobs included work with a survey crew on Castle Rock and Petenwell dams and as a spotter in a firetower near Necedah. He later went on to further his education at UW-Whitewater and UW- Stevens Point, earning two Master’s degrees.
Hollis was united in marriage with Alyce Schmidt on July 23, 1955 at the Methodist Church in Necedah, WI. After their honeymoon at Copper Falls, Hollis and Alyce moved to Lake Geneva, WI where he was a teacher and then principal at Eastview Elementary School for 34 years. Hollis and Alyce spent much of their 66-year marriage traveling. Their love of travel took them to all 50 States, Canada, and Paris where they made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Together they also wintered in Arizona for 16 years.
Hollis was a Mason for 70 years, during which time he was a member of Necedah, Lake Geneva, and Tomah Lodges, as well as Zor Shrine. He enjoyed golfing, telling stories, and collecting classic cars; Hollis’s cars won many awards at local car shows.
Hollis is survived by his sister Janet Smith of Tomah, WI; nieces Carleen Smith of Oregon, Valerie (Ed) White of Arizona, and Connie (Gary) Bower of Prairie du Sac, WI; nephews Bruce (Rosemary) Bishop of Oregon, Larry (Bushra) Puechner of Texas, and Ron (Martha) Puechner of Arizona; a sister-in-law Ruby Schmidt of Tomah, WI; along with other relatives and friends.
Hollis was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Esther Herbison; wife Alyce; sister Jean Smith; nephews Daniel Bishop and Jim Puechner; and a brother-in-law, Bob Schmidt.
The family would like to thank Kares-Just For You for the many years of devoted home care to Hollis and Alyce. They would also like to thank Good People for their 24-hour care of Hollis which allowed him to remain at home.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Pastor Dawn Lindberg and Pastor Fran Hewuse will officiate. Burial will follow in the Bayview Cemetery, Necedah, WI. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home with a Masonic Service beginning at 9:30 a.m. officiated by Chaplain Don Roscovius. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Zor Shrine Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, Serenity House in Tomah, Tomah Area Historical Society, or the Tomah Boys & Girls Club. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
