Cindy Jo Gackenheimer

Cindy Jo (Holm) Gackenheimer, 48, passed away the afternoon of Christmas Day, December 25, 2019 at her home in the Village of Harrison, surrounded by her children, parents and husband. Cindy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer in February 2019.

She was born August 30, 1971 in New London, Wisconsin to Wirt and Carol (Krake) Holm. She married Mark Gackenheimer December 31, 1995 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Mark and Cindy raised two sons together: Ryann Wirt, and Jeremy David; and two daughters Emma Nicole and Ellie Jade.

Cindy graduated from Hortonville High School in 1989 and attended Fox Valley Technical College. She held numerous career positions throughout including home maker, Office Manager, Insurance Specialist, and GM of Tumbleweed Restaurant. After leaving the workforce, Cindy pursued her passion in photography starting her own professional photography studio specializing in Senior and family portraits. Most recently she returned to school at the Academy of Salon Professionals to pursue a career in cosmetology and hair design.

Cindy had a love for the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. From camping to country music festivals, water skiing on Lake Winnebago to jet skiing on the quarry at the family farm, she embraced being a mom and grandmother and cherished her time with girlfriends catching up with a glass of wine on the couch. Cindy was a true fitness warrior ranging from her workouts at the YMCA to her most joyful activity – training countless hours peddling her bicycle preparing for the annual 100 mile Race the Lake around Lake Winnebago.

Cindy attended Christ the Rock Community Church where she served in Son Harbor Children’s ministry for many years. Cindy had a strong faith in Christ and even in her final hours, her faith was bold and unwavering, witnessing to countless friends and strangers following her journey on Facebook as she shared her story about her fight with cancer. Even in her final hours, she truly believed God has a purpose for taking her at such a young age. She will be missed dearly by all those she has touched in her short time on Earth, and most noticeably will be missed by her young daughters.

Cindy is survived by her loving husband Mark, sons Ryann (and wife Sarah) and Jeremy (fiancée Kayla Knutzen), daughters Emma and Ellie, granddaughter Maiya Gackenheimer, parents Wirt and Carol Holm, sister Cheryl Holm, brothers Rusty (and Kari Megadanz) Holm, Jerry Holm, brother-in-law Jeffrey (and Susan) Gackenheimer, sister-in-law Julie (and Christopher) Porter.

Cindy was proceeded in death by her parent-in-law Joyce Gackenheimer and David Gackenheimer.

Visitation for Cindy will be held from 5-8 PM on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri-County Chapel, 1592 Oneida St., Menasha, WI 54952. A Celebration of Life Service, as was her dream, for Cindy will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Christ the Rock Community Church, W6254 US-10 114, Menasha, WI 54952. Family and friends may visit at the church from 9 AM until the time of service. Interment will follow, after a short fellowship, at 1:30 PM in High Cliff Cemetery, Sherwood, WI.

Cindy envisioned everyone wearing pink, red and white colors at her service in her memory. To honor her, we please ask you to consider honoring her request. Thank you.