John Boldt “Pepper”, age 68, of Neenah, WI died Friday June 28, 2019, at his home in the loving arms of his wife Susan, surrounded by family. He was born October 17, 1950, in Tomahawk, WI and grew up on the riverbanks of the Wisconsin River in Tomahawk. He and his buddies were known as the “River Rats”. His passion for music and playing the guitar started young and in high school he and his twin brother “Salt” started a band called Salty and the Shakers. John met the love of his life Susie when he was a senior and she was a sophomore in high school. They were engaged by Susie’s senior year and married June 26, 1971. Soon after, they moved to California to be closer to Susie’s bother Ken and his wife Judy. A year later their daughter Shannon was born. After a few more years of palm trees and sunshine they moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and friends. Their son John was born in West Allis in 1975.

Pepper worked at Briggs & Stratton in industrial machine repair for 30 years. In his retirement he has enjoyed spending more time with family and friends, and especially adored attending his grandchildren’s events. John loved music, playing the guitar, fishing, golfing, biking, hiking, hunting, skiing, and traveling. He and Susie bought an RV and enjoyed traveling to Gulf Shores. Grass never grew under Pepper’s feet. He was an excellent craftsman and was constantly working on a project with his buddies. He always found a reason to work hard and then pop-a-top with a cold one.

John is survived by his wife, Susan; son, John (Nicole); daughter, Shannon (Brian); grandsons, Brenton and Braden; granddaughters, Faith, Hailey, and Ava; siblings, Judy (Eddie), and Joe; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dale and Carolyn, Dave and Deanna, Jeff and Sharon, Ken and Judy, and JoAnne; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas; father, Leland; mother, Catherine; stepmother, Gretchen; father-in-law, Ken; mother-in-law, Marilyn; half brother-in-law, Otto; and half sister-in-law Diane.

Pepper’s family and friends will celebrate his life every day, including Tuesday, July 2, 2019, when a visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church 210 Pleasant Dr. Winneconne. A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the church with Fr. Tom Long officiating. A post celebration will follow at the home of Brian and Shannon Meltz 4519 N. Marshall Heights Appleton, WI 54913.

In lieu of flowers, please consider the PLGA Fund (pediatric low-grade brain cancer) Team.curethekids.org

If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.