John A. Bolz

John A. Bolz  "Jack"

Born July 20, 1927 in Madison, WI, John Adolph Bolz passed away on May 30, 2023.  “Jack” was the youngest of Adolph C. and Eugenie Mayer Bolz’s children.  He was preceded in death by his brother Robert M. Bolz of Madison, WI and sister Marjorie Allen of Dellwood, MN.  He graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in 1945 and enlisted in the Navy at age 18.  Under the GI Bill, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he enrolled in ROTC and graduated in 1950 with a B.S. Degree in Economics and Political Science.  After attending the University of Wisconsin School of Law for two years, he was commissioned in the Army and served as a Military Police Officer in Korea in 1954. 

In 1957, Jack married Marian Richter of Chicago, IL, and together they raised their five children as Jack built his 30+ year career with Oscar Mayer & Co.  He held a variety of positions across the country from sales and marketing to VP of Corporate Relations. 

Along with his siblings, Jack directed the Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Foundation in supporting a broad array of community programs and projects enriching Dane County and the Great Lakes Region.  Throughout his life, he also was an active leader in dozens of civic organizations and foundations that supported nature conservancies and public parks, clean lakes, botanical gardens and zoos, youth and family programs and camps, the arts and music, the justice system, assisted living facilities and hospice, hospitals, and community foundations, such as Madison Community Foundation and United Way Foundation of Dane County.  His generosity, commitment to community stewardship, and expertise in finances and investing were valued assets for these organizations. 

An avid Badger fan, Jack served many years on the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s College of Letters and Science Board of Visitors, and he and his wife Marian were enthusiastic contributors to the University’s Bolz Center for Arts Administration.  He attended Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, where he served in various leadership positions.  “Captain Jack” also was a competitive scow sailor who served as Commodore of both the Mendota Yacht Club and the Inland Lakes Yachting Association.

Additionally, Jack was the beloved captain of his family and rarely missed an opportunity for fun in Madison, the Northwoods of Wisconsin, deserts of California, or mountains of Colorado.  He had a vast circle of life-long friends and cousins (he was one of Oscar F. Mayer’s 16 grandchildren), who relished his playful camaraderie and sense of humor.  While he enjoyed traveling, he treasured his home in the Village of Maple Bluff, where he lived for much of his life and served as President of the Village Board.  He loved the outdoors, skiing, sailing and iceboating, fishing, cooking brats at family events and tailgate parties, and taking family out for pontoon boat rides and Sunday afternoon drives in the country. 

Jack was a much-loved husband, father, grandparent, and family elder.  His wife and life-long partner, Marian,  passed away a week after Jack’s death.  Jack is survived by his 5 children (Joan Cleary (Jeff) of Burlingame, CA; Carolyn Glah (Bob) of Aspen, CO; Julia Bolz of Madison, WI; Cathy Wilson (Eric) of Seattle, WA; and John R. Bolz of Ann Arbor, MI); 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. 

A visitation celebrating Jack, and his wife Marian, will be held at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Rd. in Madison, WI, on June 15 from 2:30-5pm.  A combined funeral service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church, 116 W. Washington Ave. in Madison on June 16 at 11am. 

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434