Raymond O. Holl

Raymond Orville "Gus" Holl, the seventh son of Harry Henry Holl and Martha Maria Dorthea Wolting Holl, passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2015. Raymond was born December 2, 1930, at the family farm near Shady Bend, Kansas. The farm, known around the country as a geographical photographical point called Tater Mountain, was founded by Raymond's grandfather, John.

Raymond walked seven miles to grade school with his six brothers at the Shady Bend School and went to church at the Shady Bend Community Church as a youngster. He also attended the St. John Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Kansas and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1948. During his high school years he played basketball and performed in a school play where he and his brother, Harold, received their nicknames, Gus and Zeke. His nickname stuck throughout the years and many knew him as Gus.

After a short stint working for a surveying company, Raymond started working for the Natural Gas Service Company at the age of 20 and worked for entities of natural gas companies for 42 years retiring from KG & E in 1992. He began in the meter shop of the gas service company repairing broken gas meters, dug ditches, and learned how to be a serviceman. He loved working the Lincoln, Mitchell, and Jewell counties, talking with people and servicing the area natural gas needs. He concluded his career as a Field Supervisor where he was respected for his approachable, sensible, rationale teaching manner. One of his favorite quotes, "people don't learn by osmosis, you have to teach them how to do it." That was his technique for many things in life.

Raymond was united in marriage with Joyce Marie Hamilton, on March 18, 1950. They celebrated their 64rd anniversary shortly before Joyce's passing in 2014. During this union four children were born, Leon, Cheryl, Lawrence, and Elizabeth. He spent many hours with his children fishing, camping, gardening, hunting mushrooms, doing home repairs, teaching them about gas lines and the natural gas business, leading worship, teaching Sunday school classes, encouraging young people, coaching, and being the best father, grandfather, great grandfather, and provider.

Raymond's passion for fishing was incomparable, many evenings and weekends were spent on the open waters of a local pond, just he and his fishing pole. He was most happy enjoying the sunshine and the peace of the country air. His other passion was history, he loved to tell stories and show his grandchildren the route taken by his grandfather from Minneapolis to Lincoln County where he homesteaded. He was always reading and learning, and passing on family history to all who would listen.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, Harry and Martha Holl, six brothers, five sister-in-laws, eldest son Leon, and grandson Aaron. He is survived by his Daughter-in-law, Linda of Belleville, daughter Cheryl Hockman and partner Annie of Hutchison, son Lawrence Holl and partner Derek of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, daughter Elizabeth and husband Craig of Oak Creek, CO, brother-in-law Robert Hamilton and wife Sharon, sister-in-law Fay Holl. Grandchildren are Adam Holl and wife Kate, Tina Moore and husband Tracey, Daniel Douglas and wife Monica, David Douglas and wife Ashley, Nicole Kraus and husband Nick, Joshua Flaharty, Mataya Harrold and husband James, Amelia Miller and husband Kolton; step-grandchildren Katie Thiess and husband Matt, and Andrew VanKeuran and wife Meghan. Great grandchildren Dalton, Brandon, Reese, Max, Tyson, Brady, and Charlie. Step great-grandchildren Adam, Trenton, Evelyn, Adeline, and Rebecca.

Funeral services will be at 1 PM Wednesday, February 4 at the First Christian Church in Beloit followed by burial in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Hospice & Home Care of Reno County.