John Bernard Holst

John Bernard Holst, age 81, of Minnetonka, MN, passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024 from complications of Lewy Body Dementia at the Covenant Living Care Center in Golden Valley, MN, where he and our whole family were treated with caring kindness and respect.
John was born in Red Wing, MN, on April 20, 1943, to parents Bernard and Marie Holst and grew up in Pine Island, MN, graduating from Pine Island High School in 1961. John enjoyed raising animals, riding horses, working hard, and finding the joy in all that he pursued. He then went on to graduate with degrees in mathematics and business from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1965.
John and his beloved wife DeeDee (Darlene Anderson) met in 1963 dancing at Mankato State. They married in Minneapolis four years later in 1967. Their children, Molly and Andy, are gifts from God, followed by their awesome grandchildren Aidan, Cyrus, Drew, and Lottie Ruch; Lydia, Ian, Calvin, and Katie Holst.
John and DeeDee were an adventuresome team, buying a small resort with college friends in 1969. This old resort became their cabin retreat for 55 years. Our extended family and friends have many good memories of fishing and making homemade ice cream. One of the outrageous things John did was to make tandem cross-country skis for the two of them to glide over golf courses in winter. He enjoyed teaching grandkids and friends how to fish and to value the sanctuary of the beautiful north woods. Making flying waffles for breakfast was his specialty.
His business travels took him to many places such as Hong Kong, Dubai, Britain, and Germany. He had a passion to grow businesses. After graduation from college, he started working in a collection agency as a partner and went on to various roles in business management and consulting in Madison, Wisconsin and Minnesota. As a great team player, he valued the relationships of the many who worked with him, treating all with appreciation and kindness. In John's final 15 years of work history, he was privileged to help grow the Anderson family business, working alongside brother-in-law Marty Anderson and sister-in-law Laurie Osmondson.
The enthusiastic joy John found in his relationship with Jesus Christ transformed his life and the lives of many with whom he shared his faith. He thrived on studying the scriptures, praying with and for others, and mentoring a next generation. He worshiped and served as an elder at Middleton Baptist in Wisconsin. Being a member at Wooddale Church these past 40 years, he (along with DeeDee) was privileged to develop a Global Partner Care Team, extending God's love for people all around the world.
He is survived by his wife DeeDee; daughter Molly (Christian) Ruch; son Andy (Rachel) Holst; eight grandchildren; siblings Lillian Peterson, Norma (Gary) Alme, and Bernie (Diane) Holst; brother-in-law Tom Johnson; and many much-loved nieces and nephews (both Holsts and Andersons), and wonderful friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Johnson, brother-in-law David Peterson, infant grandson Bryce Ruch, and in-laws Lloyd and Betty Anderson.
John will always be remembered for valuing relationships, his amazing kindness, and faithfulness in prayer. Whatever he was working at, there was a goal to make it better. John's memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.
A visitation will be held from 4:30-6:30 on Sunday, July 28 at Washburn McReavy, Eden Prairie Chapel.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 29 at Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie campus. A livestream will begin at 10:45 AM at https://www.wooddale.org/events.
Memorials preferred to Let's Go Fishing of Eden Prairie, Attn: Cindy Cross, PO Box 44992, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344; or Open Circle of Hopkins, Senior Adult Day Care, 34 10th Ave. So., Hopkins, MN 55343.
Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them.
-Revelation 14:13