Menno Holdeman

Menno Holdeman passed away from this life on March 18, 2007, in Grand Junction, Colo., following a back injury in February and subsequent short illness. He was born to Ezra K. and Anna Jantz Holdeman in Moundridge, Kans., McPherson County, on May 23, 1917. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Roselle; sisters, Alma (deceased husband John) Ratzloff and Cleda (husband Herbert Rixse, LaJunta, CO); and brother, Ivan (wife Anna, Westminster, CO). His survivors are his three children, Kenneth R (wife Arlene) of Bloomington, MN; their two sons, Eric (wife Vicki, and children Madison, Lucas and Gavin) and Nicholas (wife Crystal and sons Forest and Dakota); second son, Wayne J (wife Kathleen) of Minot, ND with their three children, Minya, Nathan (wife, Julie and daughter Kelsey), and Marie (husband Steven) Boggess; his daughter, Arlene H DeRienzo of Grand Junction, CO and her son, Joseph (Jamie); a sister, Marjorie of Hesston, KS, (deceased husband Eli), and a brother, Paul of Loveland, CO, (deceased wife Helen). Menno started working on his parents' farm with teams of horses as a boy, graduated from Greensburg High School in 1937, taught four boys for two years in a one room grade school prior to finishing two years of college at Hesston College in 1941. During World War II, he was a conscientious objector working in a mental hospital. He held many jobs including work at Gates Rubber Company, in Denver, Colorado, followed by work as a carpenter and a return to Kansas farm work for Sam and Katie Bontrager. He left farming when fond teaching memories and encouragement from his wife led him to return to complete his college. He obtained a double degree in English and History from Fort Hays Teacher's College in 1960. His courage in not letting his age be a barrier to going back to school taught his children the importance of education. He was a teacher and librarian 8 years in Scott County High School in western Kansas. He earned a Masters Degree in Library Science from Emporia State University in 1963. He retired in 1983 as the librarian for Cloud County Community College, Concordia, KS and moved to Pueblo, CO in 1989 for the dry air for his wife's lung illness and to be near old friends and relatives. He dedicated his life to following the Christian teachings of his parents, improving his understanding and demonstrating those teachings through his life. A memorial service will be officiated by Menno's brother, Paul, and held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 22, 2007, at the Montgomery & Steward Chapel, in Pueblo, Colo., and a graveside service that afternoon at 2 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta, Colo. Those who desire may make memorials to Mennonite Central Committee through the Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colo. 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com