John Laverne Holder, age 90, of Selby, passed away December 21, 2020, at the Walworth County Care Center.

John was the first of seven children born to Thomas and Anna Holder. He was born March 17, 1930, at the Selby Hospital with Dr. W.A. George in attendance. He attended country schools and graduated from eighth grade at Lindberg School. He then attended Selby High School for one year. He was needed on the family farm after that. John worked for neighbors at different times. During the winter of 1949 and 1950, John worked as a mechanic at Chesky Auto Co.

In January 1951, during the Korean conflict, John joined the U.S. Navy for a four-year enlistment and was discharged in November 1954. During his time in the Navy, he obtained his GED. He returned to Selby after his discharge and farmed with his parents until 1956 when he started work in Selby.

John married Eileen Schaffer on October 21, 1956. They bought their first house in Selby in March 1957. To this union, four children were born: Gayle, David, James and Beth.

John worked at many local businesses including Selby Oil Co., Stulken Implement and Thorstenson Implement. He became half owner of Selby Implement until 1967, at which time he sold his share to Delbert Schley. He then worked at Rabenberg's until 1969. At that point, John went to work for Minneapolis Moline as a service representative. Later, Minneapolis Moline became White Farm Equipment where John was employed for over 19 years. He then went to work for Walworth County Implement and retired at age 65.

John and David started the Holder Repair business where he worked until his health no longer allowed.

John leaves behind four children: Gayle (Dave) Kaup of Balaton, MN, David (Cris) Holder of Selby, SD, James (Trisha) Holder of Glenwood, MN, and Beth Ripplinger of Bismarck, ND. He also leaves behind grandchildren: Jennifer Kaup (Mike Fedde), Stephanie (Shawn) Leibfried, Ryan (Dani) Kaup, Tiffany Holder, Landon Holder, Derek (Katie) Vigstol, Adam Vigstol, Kassandra (William) Hubbard, Kimberly (Raymond) Allen, Tyler Ripplinger and Kaylee Ripplinger and great-grandchildren: Drake Leibfried, Decker Leibfried, Kennedy Kaup, Jackson Kaup, Dylan Vigstol, Kendra Vigstol, Anika Hubbard, Tobin Hubbard and Olivia Allen.

John is proceeded in death by his wife Eileen, father Tom, mother Anna, brothers Wayne and Franklin, sisters Marilyn, Vivian and Joyce, great-grandson Avery and many other much loved family and friends. Blessed be his memory.

Celebration of Life Services for John will be held in the spring/summer of 2021.

Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.