Kenneth Earnest Holst was born May 27, 1930, to Dora (Trigg) and Ernest Holst of Vale, SD. He was the second of five children. He went to high school at Vale High School and graduated in 1948. In 1950, he entered the US Air Force and served a four-year tour of duty. He returned to his family farm in 1954.

He met JoAnn Lovegren at a dance in Union Center and after a period of time, they were married on August 23, 1958. They lived in a very small trailer with their first two boys, Ricky and Randy, on the family farm. They found a farm just a few miles away to move to before their daughter, Ronda, was born. This is where they lived until 1985. Then they moved to Sturgis for retirement.

They spent most of their life serving Jehovah and speaking to others about the bible and the kingdom hope. Kenneth was a giving person. If someone needed something and he could help, he wouldn't hesitate. When JoAnn passed a few years ago, he lived by himself except for a little miniature pincher named Jo Jo. They were the best of friends.

In the past three years he has lived with his daughter, grandson, granddaughter-in-law, and great-granddaughter. He was diagnosed with dementia and could no longer take care of himself. He was able to remain home with family until his final two weeks that he spent in hospice at the Department of Veteran's Affairs at Fort Meade Medical Center.

He passed away peacefully on June 3, 2016.

He is survived by his sister, Judy Ollila; brothers, Alan Holst and Alvin Holst; sons, Ricky Holst and Randy Holst; daughter, Ronda Halvorson; his grandchildren, Tina Ulmer, Jeremy Halvorson, Sabrina Reid, Monique Shackles, Daylene Holst/Allen, Heather Baker, and Shane Baker. His great-grandchildren are Cynthia Turnbaugh, Tiana Ulmer, Angel Ulmer, Dakota Halvorson, Leif Baker, Devin Alan Baker, Nathan Allen, Tristan Allen, Breanna Allen, Austin Allen, McKenna Allen, and Ashlynn Allen,

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dora and Ernest Holst; his oldest brother, Roger Holst; his wife of 50 years, JoAnn Holst; and a great-grandson, Maciah Holst.

Services will be Saturday, June 11, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Kingdom Hall in Sturgis, SD. A get-together will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Community Center in Vale, SD.

A memorial has been established to the Kingdom Hall in Sturgis, SD.

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