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Earl Von Holt

Lead Summary

Earl Alvin von Holt, 87, Mankato, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, at Mayo Clinic Health System - St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, with visitation two hours prior to the service. Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Memorials are preferred to Grace Lutheran Church, the American Legion, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Earl von Holt was born on Aug. 24, 1935, to August and Elizabeth (Beine) von Holt in Luverne. He grew up on a farm near Magnolia and attended Magnolia Public School. He graduated in 1953 and spent the following two years helping his dad and brother, Ray, on the farm.
In 1955 he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the Strategic Air Command for four years as an electronic technician on B47 bombers. He was discharged in August 1959.
On Sept. 20, 1959, Earl married Audrey Strassburg, and they began their new life in Minneapolis. Earl worked for Thomas A. Edison Industries using his USAF training. The company became Wahl & Wahl and eventually Lanier Voicewriter. Earl and Audrey were blessed with a daughter, Lisa, and a son, Eric. In 1981 Earl was transferred to a one-man office in Mankato where he continued dictation sales and service for south central Minnesota until he retired to enjoy his flower and vegetable gardens, his yard and deck. He also enjoyed several part-time jobs and worked at Wis-Pac for several years.
Earl and Audrey started Volksmarching, non-competitive 10K walks, in 1984, becoming leaders of the Riverbend Striders in Mankato. They enjoyed 20 years of organizing area events and walking throughout the United States.
They also enjoyed meeting international students as part of the Friendship Family program at MSU. In 1991 Rizwan “Raz” Shah became a “second son.” Raz married Amy and was blessed with two sons, and later, Raz’s brother joined their international family.
Earl has been an active member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato and the North Mankato American Legion Post 518.
Earl is survived by his wife, Audrey; a daughter, Lisa; a son, Eric; international family, Raz, Amy, Zain, Amaan and Farhan; sister and brother-in-law Avis and Robert Fick; and sister-in-law Virginia von Holt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruby; and brothers Raymond and Lester.
Arrangements are provided by Mankato Mortuary, www.mankatomortuary.com, and the service will be livestreamed at this site.
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