Kent Holesinger

There are some who clearly make the world a better place and Kent Holesinger was such a man. He was a man who had struggles of his own throughout his life, yet always held things with an open hand, even when he had very little himself. Kent was a man of faith whose tender touch reached all those within his path.

It was on June 4, 1957, that Marvin and Harriet Holesinger welcomed the birth of their son, Kent, in Thomson, Illinois. Kent was the youngest of four children in his family and was raised on a farm where they had cattle and grew grain. Faith was established as a cornerstone in Kent’s life as his family was members of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Morrison. When he was eight years old, Kent was diagnosed with diabetes and became insulin dependant for nearly the rest of his life. Since Thomson was a small farming town, Kent graduated as one of 12 students in his class.

With high school behind him, Kent continued on to Monmouth College where he met a remarkable young gal while taking the placement test the very first day. Her name was Peggy Goff, and they went on to have a geology class together. As their relationship grew from doing “homework” to something deeper, Kent proposed in the school newspaper, although he pretended to know nothing about it when she asked him about it. He made it official, however, when he proposed later that night at dinner.

After exchanging their vows, the newlyweds moved to Holland, Michigan, where Kent attended Western Seminary in pursuit of becoming a pastor. Not long after, Kent’s diabetes grew more severe, which led him to conclude that perhaps God had different plans. Shortly thereafter, he went to work at Bee Plastics where he remained for about five years. Kent then began working at Bareman Dairy where he kept the machinery running – referring to himself as a “dairyman.” He remained there for 23 years.

In 1984, Kent and Peggy bought their home on 18th Street in order to accommodate their growing family including three children, Kent, Joshua, and Sarah. Although money was tight, they never went without and family times were usually free and of course, fun. Whether it was driving around to look at Christmas lights, picnics at Kollen Park, or beach time at Tunnel Park, good times were always plentiful. The boys also had video games, although Kent played as much or more than the kids! They attended Bethel Reformed and later, New Community-Fourth Reformed.

Kent Holesinger was a compassionate man who was a “father” to ten children in his community, although only three of them were his biological children. He had an open door policy at his home and believed that a house full of love has elastic walls. Kent was truly a remarkable man who will be dearly missed.

Kent B. Holesinger died Friday, January 29, 2010. Kent’s family includes: wife of 29 years Peggy (Goff) Holesinger; son Kent Brian Holesinger II, son Joshua Holesinger, daughter Sarah Holesinger; mother Harriet Holesinger; grandmother Jennie Van Zuiden; brother Dale and Nancy Holesinger, sister Jane and Don Chambers; many in-laws, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Kent was preceded in death brother by Arlyn Holesinger. Services will be 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at New Community Fourth Reformed of Holland. Visitation will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes– Mulder Chapel – Holland, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial contribution to the Juvenile Diabetes Association.