Paul Howard Holdeman was born on 9 October 1924 near Rich Hill in Bates County, Missouri the seventh and youngest child of Ezra K. Holdeman and Anna Jantz Holdeman. He grew up near and in Greensburg, Kiowa County, Kansas. He attended Hesston College in Hesston, Kansas. During World War II he was a conscientious objector as taught by the Mennonite Church. After the end of hostilities, he participated in an effort by Church World Service, now Heifer International to take farm animals to Europe to replace those lost in the war. His shipload of mares in foal went to Danzig, now Gdansk in Poland. In 1948 he married Helen Frances Cutrell in Denver, Colorado. Together they served with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Gulfport Mississippi where he was ordained to the ministry in the Mennonite Church. He later served with MCC as a traveling pastor to conscientious objectors serving in various capacities in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. He also served the Mennonite Church congregation in Perryton, Texas as well as the First Methodist Church in that city. He came to Loveland, Colorado in 1959 to attend Colorado State University and earn a bachelor's degree. While he attended school, he served the First Methodist Church in Loveland as assistant minister. After graduating and some further education he was the school social worker for the Thompson School District and then became a probation counselor for the Eighth Judicial District and eventually the chief of probation. In 1981 his work was recognized when he received the Judge Conrad L. Ball Award for his contribution to improving justice in Larimer County. He participated in the formation and operation of Center for Life Skills in Fort Collins. Later he served the Greeley Mennonite Church as interim pastor, before becoming the leader of Unity of Fort Collins. He was the leader of Tapestry of Life until Covid ended their weekly meetings. Paul died on 3 November 2022 at his home west of Loveland. Paul's wife, Helen died in 2004. Their son, Mark died in 2013. He is survived by three children, Bonnie (Mike) Dalke, Tim (Delaine) Holdeman, Priscilla Holdeman, his daughter-in-law Kathy Holdeman, seven grandchildren, one brother-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to Heifer International or Pathways Hospice in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home.

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Published by Loveland Reporter-Herald on Nov. 13, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Holdeman

Sponsored by Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home & Crematory.

8 Entries

Roslyn Scheuerman

December 7, 2022

I first met Paul when he served as the minister of Unity, Fort Collins. I appreciated the very practical way he applied spiritual principles to helping people, including me, with solving the problems encountered in the world of everyday life. Paul will always be remembered as one of the most outstanding individuals I've had the pleasure knowing!

Cindy Goranson

December 6, 2022

Such a wonderful man. He touched so many lives.

Deborah

November 28, 2022

Paul was a lovely man and I had the honor to work with him with teens in Fort Collins and to attend the Unity Church while he was there. He served people and the planet well.

Steve Proctor

November 24, 2022

My name is Steve Proctor While a student at CSU in 1972-73 Paul agreed to my being an intern in the probation office in Ft Collins. During my senior year in 1973 there was not an opportunity to be a probation officer in Ft Collins but there was in Ft Morgan. Paul gave me a good recommendation to judge Miller in Larimer county who passed it on to Judge Wolvington in Ft Morgan. Long story short I was hired in Ft Morgan and eventually became Chief Probation officer retiring in 2015. I attribute my hiring and success to what I learned from Paul in the Internship. He was an important friend in my life and career.

Greg Sheets

November 14, 2022

Paul was a long time family friend of my parents. Such a fine and gentle man. Condolences to the family.

The Sinishes

Sent Flowers

Brenda Cutrell

November 14, 2022

Dear Paul gave me sage advice on whether to get a college degree or not. Always valued his insight. Fly far, Paul.

Jason Hatch MD

November 13, 2022

Paul will be greatly missed. I am forever grateful to have known Paul. He brought light and laughter each time we met and I consider him my favorite patient. I am a better person because I knew Paul. My sincerest condolences to his family. May God bless Paul's family with comfort knowing that this earth is a kinder and more harmonious place because Paul lived in it.

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