The youngest son of Helmuth Emil "Elmer" Hoelzel and Maude Holdman, "Pete" was born on the Hoelzel family farm in Melzo, Missouri near De Soto. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War and was stationed overseas for a year. He was a private first class by the time he received his discharge from the service.

Pete married Eugenia Maria "Jeanie" Aubuchon on 18 Aug 1956 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri. He was baptized Catholic around that time. When they were first married, they lived in Bonne Terre, and he worked for a time as a florist. He wanted to open his own floral shop, but finances would not allow. Even after he left the business and began doing construction work, he was known for the beautiful floral grave blankets he made each Christmas.

They then moved to a house Pete built himself on 20 acres of land across the road from his childhood home. After 11 1/2 years of marriage, they welcomed their only child to the family.

Pete worked construction in St. Louis, Missouri for many years. He was a member of Laborers' Local #110 for more than half a century.

He was a lifelong music fan, and played his Gibson guitar at dances, honky tonks and special events. He performed with his uncle, Carl Hoelzel, and friends, and later played with another local band. He was especially partial to the classic country music of Johnny Cash and Ernest Tubb.

He spent many hours working in the large gardens surrounding his home and was known for the tomatoes he grew. It was said that he shared them with half the county, he grew so many.

He had a wide variety of interests, including family events and those in the community. He enjoyed attending his son's little league games. He was a life member of V. F. W. Post #6883, and he always loved to attend activities such as picnics and ballgames with the retirees in his union.

He was a devoted fan of the St. Louis baseball Cardinals and enjoyed collecting team memorabilia. He attended many games over the years with his son, including Pete's first World Series game on 27 Oct 2006. The Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers that night, making them World Series Champions.

His open and friendly disposition made him a great storyteller and conversationalist, covering a wide variety of subjects. He enjoyed talking about cars and attended the Indianapolis 500 Race with his cousin before either of them were married.

Pete's older brother, Benno, ran the family farm by himself after their father died. Pete unselfishly helped care for Benno during his later years and after he went into a nursing home. Benno died in 2021.

As their health declined, Pete and his wife, Jeanie, became residents of Cedarhurst of Troy in Troy, Illinois. He was under hospice care by the time he passed away there at the age of 92 years, 4 months and 1 day.

He was survived by his wife of 67 years; 1 son and 1 daughter-in-law; 4 nieces, their husbands and families; and extended family members and friends.

In addition to his mother and father, Pete was preceded in death by 2 older brothers, Benno Hoelzel and Charlie Hoelzel; and 1 sister-in-law.

Visitation was held from 3 to 6 p.m. on 05 Nov 2023 at the Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto. Funeral services were conducted there at 11 a.m. the following morning. Burial with military honors took place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.

The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation in Nashville, Tennessee or to Masses.

Jeanie passed away less than 6 months after Pete.

Children: 1 son.

Father of:

(Living) Hoelzel

Pete's siblings:

Benno Morris Hoelzel

Charles Frederick "Charlie" Hoelzel