Melvin “Melv” L. Holsten

Obituary

Melvin “Melv” L. Holsten

Feb. 25, 1932 - Dec. 1, 2024

HASTINGS, Neb. - Melvin “Melv” L. Holsten, age 92, of Hastings, formerly of McCook, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Private family services will be held at a later date. Melv requested no funeral services and chose cremation. Memorials are suggested to Memorial Methodist Church, 105 East E Street, McCook, NE 69001 or to the family via the funeral home at 336 N. Nebraska Avenue, Minden, NE 68959. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden.

Melv was born on Feb. 25, 1932 on a farm northeast of Axtell, Neb. to Arthur and Ane Marie (Jensen) Holsten. He went to school in Axtell, later in Minden, and graduated from Minden High School in 1950.

Melv served our country during the Korean war, serving from Oct. 1, 1952 and was honorably discharged on Sept. 15, 1954. His assignments were in Washington D.C. and Germany. Melv served as a photographer and many of his photos were published. One was used as a cover on the Stars and Stripes magazine in February of 1954.

Melv moved to McCook in 1955, where he lived and made his career as a lineman with the telephone company in McCook and surrounding areas. After retirement in 1994, he loved to play golf and cards, meet with buddies at the local coffee shop and was an active member of Memorial Methodist Church in McCook. Although Melv never married or had children, he was a great family man coming to endless holiday celebrations, birthday parties, weddings, and graduations for his brother’s family.

Remarkably, Melv’s first hospital stay didn’t happen until the ripe old age of 88. After Covid, Melv moved to Hastings in 2021 to be closer to family. He enjoyed playing Some ‘R’ Set with family every week. Melv was a kind and humble man and did not want attention drawn to him.

Melv was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ane Marie Holsten; his sister, Marilyn Ostergaard and her husband, Vernon Ostergaard; two nephews, Dan and David Ostergaard all of Kennewick, Wash.; his brother, LaVern Holsten; and his sister- in- law, Shirley Holsten of Minden.

Left to cherish his memory are his nephews, Kent (Barb) Holsten of Hastings, Kevin (Linda) Holsten, of Oshkosh, Wis.; nieces, Marcia (Greg) Benson of Kearney, Neb., Audre Zaroban of Omaha, Neb., and Lorane (Dave) Rosenthal of Holdrege; cousin, Marjorie Rohlfs of Lincoln; as well as many great nieces, nephews, and a host of other family members and friends.

We will remember Melvin as a faithful and honest man. His desire was to fulfill Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”

Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.