Don Holen

 

Donald Robert Holen was born on January 7, 1932 to Robert and Amanda (Anderson) Holen on the family farm near Grand Rapids, ND.  He attended grade school in Grand Rapids and graduated from LaMoure High School in 1950.  He went on to college at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND and graduated with a degree in Agriculture Education in 1957.  After graduation Don worked at Steele, ND in County Extension work.  He transferred with the County Extension to Richland County of North Dakota on December 1, 1957.  He worked with Richland County Extension until 1960 when he took employment with 1st National (Norwest) Bank in Wahpeton as an Agriculture Representative.  He worked with 4-H members and different areas in the agriculture field.  On January 30, 1971 Don married Dorie Gisvold Beithon and became the step-father of four children, Kristi, Richard, Sara and Joel.  The couple continued to live in Wahpeton where Don was very active in the community.  He served as a Richland County Commissioner for 10 years.  Don’s service and rapport with the community did not go unnoticed.  In 1975 he received the Businessman of the Year Award, which is presented to the local business figure who in the opinion of area farmers has worked effectively for the farmers without monetary gain.  Don received many awards over his years of service; in November 1989 Don received the Extra Mile Award and two years later the Mark Werre Community Service Award.  He was also named Outstanding Citizen of the Year by the Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce.  He was a member of the Wahpeton-Breckenridge Kiwanis Club since 1959 and was Lt. Governor in 1995.  He was acknowledged by his peers and highly regarded by his friends and family. Don retired from Norwest Bank (Wells Fargo) in 1993 after 34 years.  That same year he received the North Dakota Community Leadership Award; an award recognizing individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their community.  Don also purchased the Wahpeton Motor Vehicle Office in 1993, selling that business in 2010.

 

Don was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. He was an unselfish and tireless community volunteer and was a member of Kiwanis, Elks, Eagles, 4-H, Chamber of Commerce, Benedictine Health Care Board of Directors and Dollars for Scholars. He enjoyed hunting on his farmland near LaMoure, golfing fishing and flower gardening. Don loved spending time with his wife Dorie, supporting his two favorite teams, the Bison and the Twins. He valued his time at his lake cabin at Otter Tail Lake with family and friends. Don’s heartfelt rule in life was to be a giver and not a taker.

 

He will be sadly missed by his wife Dorie, Breckenridge, MN, step-children; Kristi (Ron) Heilman, Helena, MT, Sara (Rick) Keller, Horace, ND and Joel (Melissa) Beithon, Northfield, MN, eight grandchildren; Kathryn and Margette Heilman, Ross, Austin and Carson Keller and Curran, Quinn and Maired Beithon, a brother, David (Carol) Holen, LaMoure, ND and four sisters; Arylene (Gordon) Paulu, Shoreview, MN, Onis Poehls, LaMoure, ND, Anna (Charles) Arndt, Fullerton, ND and Joan (Curtis) Holt, Lancaster, CA. 

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-son, Richard in 1985 and his brother Ralph in 2009.