Services for John Robert Holen
John Robert Holen was called home Saturday, January 13th, 2024. John had been home feeling sick with what he thought was “a bug”the week of his passing but no one knew just how sick he actually was. He was rushed by ambulance to Sanford where he passed away surrounded by family.
John was born on July 18, 1978 to proud parents, Richard and Dixie Holen and big sister, Tracee. He grew up in the small town of McIntosh, MN and graduated high school in 1996 from Win-E-Mac High. He attended Northland Community College where he majored in “making friends” and was extremely successful. He moved to Fargo in 2001 and unbeknownst to him at the time, he met the love of his life. 11 years later, he would be reunited with Tara Gulsvig (Holen). They were married November 2012 and were blessed with 2 beautiful boys, John Robert II (10 yrs) and Elliot Gary (7 yrs).
John spent the last 12 years working at Fraser, Ltd. in Fargo. Prior to that he worked at Friendship, Inc. John had an innate gift for making people happy. To know him, was to love him. He was this BIG sweet teddy bear with the nickname “Tiny.”
John was like his mother, soft spoken, except when he was watching the Minnesota Vikings on TV. On game days, you could find him in his man cave watching NDSU football, the Minnesota Twins, and the Timberwolves. He loved going to the lake on the weekends. You could always find him behind the grill, the smoker, or the blackstone preparing food for family and friends. He loved his time on the water giving pontoon rides and fishing with family.
John was first and foremost, a family man. He loved his family above anything else and if you were his friend, you were considered family. John Robert Holen is survived by the love of his life, Tara, and their 2 boys John Robert II and Elliot Gary, his father, Richard Holen, and Sister, Tracee Tucker (Kermit), and his wife’s parents, Dale and Mary Gulsvig, his brother in law, Adam Gulsvig (Jess), Sister in law, Stacy Gulsvig (Shawn) and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Dixie Holen (Groth).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fraser, Ltd.
A celebration of John’s life will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to the service, all at Lutheran Church of the Cross, West Fargo, ND.