Richard Dale "“Rich”" Holland

1936 - 2025

Richard "Rich" Dale Holland
January 8, 1936 –
October 24, 2025
Richard "Rich" Dale Holland, 89, passed away peacefully at his home on October 24, 2025.
Born at home in Hartland, Minnesota, on January 8, 1936, Rich graduated from Freeborn Consolidated School in 1954. He married Constance "Connie" Annabel Herbst on December 30, 1954 in New Richland, Minnesota.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. Stationed at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, he trained as a radar operator for Nike guided missiles.
Following his service, Rich began a 35-year career as a foreman for Erie Mining Company. He and Connie lived in Babbitt, Minnesota, where they raised their two children, Kim and Kirk. A hardworking and dedicated family man, Rich's work ethic was founded on his farming roots and a deep desire to provide for his family. He was his son Kirk's biggest supporter and mechanic during his motocross racing competitions.
After retiring, Rich and Connie moved to Laguna Woods, California, to be closer to their grandchildren. Rich loved his new community and embraced retirement with characteristic energy. He was an avid gardener his entire adult life, cultivating abundant vegetables, citrus, berries, and flowers for family and friends in both Minnesota and California.
He was passionate about horses and owned multiple horses throughout his life. He rode his last horse, Belle, into his 80s. Often seen in his signature cowboy boots and cowboy hat, he served as president of the Laguna Woods Village Horse Patrol, training horses and their owners to provide rescue services in Orange County. He was also a multiple medal winner in the Laguna Woods "Olympics" for horsemanship and barrel racing.
He also was an enthusiastic sports fan, cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Angels.
Rich never truly slowed down. He began a beloved second career as a real beard Santa from 2001 to 2012. After being discovered by the "Santa for Hire" agency, he brought joy to families at Fashion Island Newport Beach and Irvine Spectrum Center, as well as hundreds of company events and private parties and was even featured in Men's Health Magazine as the "healthy Santa" when his wife put him on the Mediterranean diet. He also worked 20 years at the Laguna Woods Village Fitness Center until the age of 84.
Rich was a friend to so many; he would talk to anyone he met and leave as a friend. He was strong in his faith in God and was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt and the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Laguna Woods. In the last few years of his life, he found companionship and love with Sally Halford. They enjoyed adventure and travel, and shared a love of gardening.
Rich will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his son, Kirk Holland; sister, LaDonna Tollefson; sister-in-laws, Jeannie (Elvern) Holland, LaDonna (Ralph) Herbst, and Della (Jack) Herbst; brother-in-law, Joe (Leslie) Herbst; grandchildren: Jennifer (Larry) Job, Katie (Bob) Cochran, Brooke (Michael) Calonne and Allison Holland; and great-grandchildren: Carson, Nathan and Lauren Job, Sierra Cochran and Caleb Calonne; and great-great grandchild Ivy Job.
Rich was preceded in death by his wife, Connie; daughter, Kim; parents, Hans and Lillie Holland; brother, Elvern Holland; and sisters, LaVonne Bartness and Annabel Hendrickson.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on November 29, 2025, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 24231 El Toro Road in Laguna Woods. The service will be streamed live on the Lutheran Church of the Cross' website at: www.lcotc.org.
A burial service will occur in summer 2026 at Saint Olaf Cemetery in New Richland, Minnesota, where he will be alongside his wife and daughter