Walter Edwin Holdren

Walter Edwin Holdren, of Mankato, Kansas, was born December 23, 1940 to Robert “Edwin” and Ruth (Jacobs) Holdren, in Superior, Nebraska, and passed away, Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems, Beloit, Kansas, from a long battle of lung cancer, at the age of 75 years, 1 month, and 24 days.

He graduated from Montrose High School in 1958. Walt married Vergaline (Hanson) on February 23, 1963. The following year, he graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in History from Fort Hays State University. In 1973, he received his Master’s Degree in Math from Emporia State University.

Walt’s joy in life was being a teacher. His teaching career started off in Sylvan Grove, Munden, and Republic. Thirty-four of 39 years was spent teaching 7th and 8th grade math at Belleville. After retiring in 2003, Walt continued to substitute for many more years in Belleville and Mankato Jr. High School. During this time, he also coached multiple sports like football and basketball, but his favorite was probably girls’ softball in the summer.

After retirement, he spent his days reading (about a paperback a day) and going to all his grandchildren’s events. Every February, he looked forward to going to Texas with friends. One of his favorite pastimes was playing cards with family and friends. He always had a cribbage board and cards handy, ready to go. Later in life, he found a love for bowling.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin Holdren.

Survivors include his wife – Vergaline of Mankato; three daughters – Rebecca Holdren and fiancé, John of Salina, Kansas, Roxanne and husband, Todd Kimminau of Beloit, Kansas, Crystal and husband, Blake Vacura of Omaha, Nebraska; six grandchildren – Elliott Kimminau of El Dorado, Kansas, TeJay and Garrett Kimminau of Beloit, Kansas, Jacqueline Holdren of Salina, Kansas, Ashley and Zachary Vacura of Omaha, Nebraska; his mother – Ruth Holdren of Beloit, Kansas; three sisters – Mary Folsom of Maize, Kansas, Betty and husband, Bill Meis of Hays, Kansas, Janet and husband, Dave Wilcox of Beloit, Kansas; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family, and friends.

A celebration of life service for Walter Edwin Holdren, will be (was) Monday, February 22, 2016, at the Harmony United Methodist Church, Mankato, Kansas, with Pastor Jim Brackett officiating. Mrs. Pat Grout will be (was) the organist, and Phil and Kristi Vetter performed the service music. Casket bearers will be (were): Elloit Kimminau, TeJay Kimminau, Garrett Kimminau, Zachary Vacura, Jerry Anderson, and Roger Rightmeier. Interment will be (was) in the Pleasant View Cemetery, (Montrose) rural Formoso, Kansas. Visitation will be (was) Sunday, February 21, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Melby Mortuary Chapel, Mankato, Kansas, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday evening. Memorials may be given in Walter Edwin Holdren memory to the Mankato City Library in care of the mortuary. Service arrangements were arranged by Melby Mortuary, 402 N. High Street, PO Box 384, Mankato, Kansas 66956. Online condolences can be left at – www.melbymortuary.com.