Mervin Henry Holsten

 Mervin Holsten, age 89, of Stover, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2024, at the Golden Age Living Center.

 It was on the 26th day of September in 1934 that Arthur and Viola (Brunjes) Holsten welcomed their son, Mervin Henry, into their home in Pyrmont. He was baptized October 7, 1934, at the Trinity Lutheran Church at Pyrmont. He was confirmed on April 10, 1949. The confirmation verse was John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 He was a 1954 graduate of Stover High School.

 Mervin went into Johnson’s Corner restaurant located west of Stover often when he was young. It was there that a beautiful young lady named DeLeah Kipp caught his eye. They were married on June 3, 1956, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death on November 11, 2016.

 He was a lifelong, faithful member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

 He worked for MFA up until his sixties when he retired. After his retirement he picked up woodworking. He was very skilled in this. He made all his grandchildren Chinese checkerboards. He also made furniture for other family members. 

 Mervin and DeLeah always put out a large garden each year. He also farmed cattle and hogs; and the occasional other animal that might be brought to the farm.

 Left to carry on his legacy are his three children and their spouses, Connie and Dean Eckhoff of Cole Camp; Jerry and Cathy Holsten of Florence; and Cindy and Eddie Kiesling of Stover; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Holsten of Lone Jack; seven grandchildren, Yolanda Fisher and husband Darrick, Joseph Holsten and wife Stephanie, Schuyler Holsten, Alex Holsten and wife Julie, Caleb Eckhoff and wife Joanna, Codi Eckhoff, and Chase Kiesling, seven great grandchildren, Rhett, Wade, and Dane Fisher, Abby and Emily Holsten and Gage and Brenton Eckhoff; a brother, Willard Holsten and wife Linda of Sedalia; a sister, Vanita Rapp of Rockville; sister-in-law, Elsie Harms of Cole Camp along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

 In addition to his wife, DeLeah; Mervin is preceded in death by one son, David Holsten; his parents; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Valeta Kipp, Raymond and Mabel Witte, Helen Kipp, Eldon Harms, and James Rapp.

 Funeral services for Mervin will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church with Rev. Gerald Kurka and Rev. Allen Braun officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

 The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Scrivner-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Stover.

 Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. Paul Lutheran School.