Allen Walentowski

Allen Hobert Walentowski, 84, of Minocqua, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on April 10, 2025, with his beloved wife and family by his side.

Allen was born on September 29, 1940, in Mole Lake, WI, to Titus and Millie Walentowski. He graduated from Crandon High School and went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Yvonne (Bazille). Together, they raised four children. For a time, the family made their home in Pickerel. Here, he worked alongside his father logging in the woods while also opening several riding stables throughout the Northwoods.

In 1971, Allen and Yvonne opened Holiday Acres in Minocqua and eventually moved there full time in 1990. The business remains family owned and operated today. Allen had a passion for horses, business, and family. Around those things he built a life he loved.

He loved to hunt and even more he loved sharing that joy with his sons and grandsons. To him, time spent sitting (and sleeping) in the shack was time well spent. He was the good kind of cowboy and his wife, daughters, and granddaughters adored him for that. He was calm, honest, and kind. He valued humor and hard work, and like everything else in his life, he had a way of blending the two.

Allen loved holding babies. He loved scooping up and squeezing the kids when they walked to close past his chair – usually resulting in a holler from Grandma for him to let them go – and when he did, they just came back for more. He was the Christmas gift “hander outer.” He watched as everyone opened theirs and saved his pile to open last.

If he knew you, you were his friend.

The center of Allen’s life and his greatest accomplishment was his marriage of 66 years to his beloved wife, Yvonne.

Allen’s only regret in life was that he wished he had been born rich, instead of so damn good lookin’.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Judy Wendt, Darlene Renkas; brother: Arthur Walentowski; brother-in laws: Dick Wendt, George Renkas, Jack Jensen, Duane Webb, Martin Rummel, Leonard Bazille; nephews: Lee and Jason Bazille; grandson: Thomas Androschko; mother and father-in-law: Theora and Glen Bazille.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne; children: Donna (Tom) Androschko, Dawn (Jeff) Janssen, Allen (Danielle) Walentowski, Simone (Roger Nordrum) Thompson; grandchildren: Melissa (Justin) Androschko, Sarah (Nate) Andrews, Emily (Sam) Fenton, Jesse (Miranda) Janssen, Angie (Brett) Trapp, Amber (Justin) Janssen, TJ (Allyson) Christensen, Amy (Tony) Weeks, Talor (Hanna) Walentowski, Harper Walentowski, Holly (Jake) Thrasher, Drew (Kennedy) Nordrum, Dejay Nordrum; great-grandchildren: Mason, Wyatt, Parker, Rylee, Mac, Jamey, Madison, Winter, Kennedy, Levi, Isla, Carter, Nora, Veda, Clayton, Lane, Tanner, Ivy, Isabelle, Greyson, Oliver, Charlotte, Brooks, Wesley, Crew, Jett; brother: Ralph (Sharon) Walentowski; sister: Mary Jensen; sister-in-law: Gail Rummel; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Grandpa’s Poem ~ by Amy Weeks

You were the steady hum of bootsteps in the barn,

The scent of hay and leather and early morning frost,

A black-denim cowboy with a grin full of mischief,

And a heart big enough to hold a family, a field, and a foal – each with equal care.

You taught us that love looks like hands that build,

like a barn swept clean and horses saddled at dawn,

Like Christmas gifts passed out with a twinkle in your eye,

And great grandbabies cradled like treasure.

You lived in the rhythm of napping recliners,

And jokes that made us groan and laugh just the same –

“I sure wish I’d been born rich instead of so damn good looking,”

You’d say, and we knew you meant every word.

The land remembers you-

Pickerels soil,

Blue Lake’s stillness,

Trails carved by your boots and your stories,

The shack stands quiet now,

But we feel you there,

In the hush between the trees.

We’ll tell your stories until they become Ours-

Until a grandson or granddaughter hands their children the same reins,

Until a daughter teaches her children to sweep a barn with pride,

Until the scent of horses and pine feels like coming home.

You rode ahead, Grandpa.

We’ll catch up someday.

And when we do,

We know you’ll be there-

Boots up, smile waiting,

Saying “What took you so long?”

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the Hazelhurst Town Hall, in Hazelhurst, WI, from Noon until 4:00 pm.

The family wants to extend their gratitude to Compassus Hospice for the care they gave to Allen.