Jack Holdren

Jack G. Holdren, 93, of Faulkton, passed away Monday, July 8, 2013 at Aberdeen Health and Rehab.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bill Hoffman officiating. Burial followed in the Faulkton Cemetery. Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday July 15, 2013 at Luce Funeral Home, Faulkton.

John “Jack” G. Holdren was born May 13, 1920 on the family farm South of Holly, CO to James Terry and Emma Violet (Griffen) Holdren. He attended rural country school in the Holly area.

On September 3, 1940 Jack was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Eva Wauneta Harmon in Syracuse, KS. They farmed there for 17 years and in 1962 moved to Wecota, SD. Here Jack farmed until moving into Faulkton in 1964. Since the fall of 1968 Jack helped Wauneta with Wauneta’s Garden on the North side of Faulkton. In 1970 he went to work for Doc Mills as a vet assistant. He spent several years of his life working as an A.I. Technician and Freeze Branding cattle in every state West of the Mississippi River. Jack, Bill and Cecil were the first to freeze brand using liquid nitrogen and isopropyl alcohol. After “retiring” Jack went to work “with” Jim Melius on Melius Farms.

Throughout the years Jack was actively involved in the communities he lived in. He was a member of the Bear Creek, KS School Board where he helped design and build their new school. He also was active in the Bear Creek 4-H club, helping bring 4-H buildings to the fair grounds. In Faulkton Jack stayed busy with the Faulkton City Council. Jack was a dedicated member of A.A. and spent 44 years attending meetings throughout the states and personally sponsoring individuals.

Jack’s life will be cherished by his wife Wauneta of Faulkton; his children: Cecil (Glenda) Holdren of Faulkton, Eva Jo Melius Myers of Faulkton, J.D. (Susan) Holdren of Port Orchard, WA, Roy (Mary) Holdren of Bloomington, MN and Shelbie Holdren of Cresbard; his grandchildren: Jane (Dennis), Janet (Dennis), Jim (Diann), Terry, Jack, Michael (Miranda), Travis, Allen, Mary Ann, Craig, Dale, Greg, Dicie (Shannon), Steven (Kyla), Keia (Miah), Michelle (Mike), Rhonda (Loren), LaFonda (Todd), Wanda, April (Mat), Jacob (Jennifer), Amber (Josh), Troy (Cassie), Brenda (Troy), and Jaclyn (Jess); 39 great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his children, Marilyn and Bill; his sisters: Lucille Woolum and Rosanna Arnold; and his brothers: Harry, Earl and Lee.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Jack’s arrangements.