Wayne C. Holzwarth

Wayne C. Holzwarth, 82, of Gettysburg, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck, ND, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Emmauel Lutheran Church, Gettysburg, with Pastor David Otten presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2026, at the church.

Wayne Holzwarth was born on August 18, 1943, in Gettysburg, South Dakota, to Edgar and Clara (Raba) Holzwarth. He was one of four children. Wayne attended Fayette Grade School in northwest Potter County before graduating from Gettysburg High School in 1963. Following graduation, Wayne headed to Canada, where he spent more than a year working for a farmer, haying and clearing timber. He then returned to South Dakota and worked for a time at the Homestake Mine in Lead. He also worked for a farmer near Vivian before returning home in 1968 to purchase the family farm.

Not long after returning home, Wayne met the love of his life, Georgia Ludowisy, at the drugstore in Hoven, where she was working. The two were married on March 11, 1972, in Hoven, South Dakota. They made their home on the family farm, where they began raising their family. Wayne and Georgia were blessed with four children: Cody, born March 7, 1975; DeAnn, born September 25, 1977; Michelle, born December 13, 1979; and LaDonna, born March 7, 1985. One of Wayne’s favorite questions to ask was, “What’s the perfect number of kids?” With a grin, he’d answer, “Four—you can have your own private gang wars.”

During their years on the farm, Wayne raised livestock and operated a custom hauling business. In 1989, the family moved into town, where Wayne started a small lumberyard on his lot. What began with ties, fence posts, and fencing materials steadily grew. By 1997, the business had outgrown its original location, and Wayne relocated it to a site six miles west of Gettysburg. In just a few months, the new location became the home of Holzwarth Sales & Service. The business was truly Wayne’s world. He loved visiting with everyone who stopped by, and over the years he formed countless friendships and acquaintances. Whether you saw him at the store, around town, or heard him on the radio, you were almost certain to hear his familiar invitation: “Stop by—the coffee is always on!”

Wayne also had a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. He treasured every opportunity to share those experiences with his children, grandchildren, and friends. No matter the season, there was always an adventure to enjoy—shore fishing, ice fishing, boating, pheasant hunting, deer hunting, antelope hunting, bear hunting, or simply spending time outdoors. He especially enjoyed hosting the Governor’s Pheasant Hunt at the family farm, creating memories that lasted a lifetime.

In 2013, Wayne and Georgia semi-retired and moved to their home along the river. Wayne loved living so close to the water, where he could sit back and watch the deer and pheasants wander through the backyard. It became one of his favorite places, and he and Georgia enjoyed spending many peaceful days there together.

Wayne is survived by his children, Cody Holzwarth of Gettysburg, SD, DeAnn Holzwarth (Jamie Edinger) of McIntosh, SD, Michelle (Justin) Bridgins, of Sioux Falls, SD, LaDonna (Trey) Phillips of Gettysburg, SD; grandchildren, Cody Brooks, Judd (Tessa) Brooks, Zandin Holzwarth, Lyle Holzwarth, Austyn Webb (Shayla Beer), Zach Webb, Nadaley (Kaden) Zentner, Jesse Bridgins, Eli Phillips; great-grandchildren, Treyden Beer, Tenley Webb, Teagyn Webb, and Iris Brooks; sisters, Claire Marie (Jerry) German and Suzy Schneider; along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Georgia Holzwarth; parents, Edgar and Clara Holzwarth; and brother, Lyle Holzwarth.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Wayne’s arrangements.