Thief River Falls – Michael Gene Holten died on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, after his battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.
Michael Gene Holten was born on September 10, 1955, in Thief River Falls, the son of Albin and Deloris (Nelson) Holten. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Mike lived in Thief River Falls his entire life. He attended Northrup Elementary, Franklin Middle School and graduated from Lincoln High School.
After high school, Mike went through the welding and auto body repair program at the Thief River Falls AVTI and earned his certificates in each program. His dream at that time was to open his own auto body repair shop which he started to develop until his mother, Deloris, needed him to work for her driving the mail truck on her Star mail route to Warroad. He went on many trips with his dad, Albin, on the mail route to Warroad so he was a shoe-in for the job. Mike worked several other jobs throughout the years including welding, hauling gravel, and hauling sugar beets.
Mike was a member of various groups over the years and particularly enjoyed helping with the Sons of the American Legion cooking burgers, etc.
Mike enjoyed many things throughout his life, especially racing around in his Mustang or tearing around on dirt bikes and snowmobiles. He absolutely loved zipping all around the northland on his beloved Yamaha Fazer motorcycle and enjoyed giving anyone a ride on it that wanted one. He was always happy to share his fun with anyone else that wanted to come along. He had a blast playing card games, board games, bowling, Frisbee, yard darts and countless other games with friends and relatives. Help thy neighbor, 31, UNO, war and Skip-Bo were some favorites. He enjoyed a good game of Bingo at the VFW, Eagles or at family get-togethers. Mike loved to cook and bake, always experimenting with different recipes or making jerky and canning beef and venison. Mike loved to weld and fabricate things, enjoyed building things and tinkering with engines and different items. He was always searching for his next treasure and yearned to make the best deal in search of a bargain. You could always find him at an auction or garage sale telling epic stories.
He loved to talk on the phone to keep in touch with family. You could count on him to remember birthdays and he always looked forward to family events and gatherings.
Mike is survived by his sister, Deborah Holten of East Grand Forks; nephew, Conrad (JoAnn) Holten of Thief River Falls; niece, Angela (Kris) Holten-Welker of Grand Forks; grand nieces, Senna Holten and Ellie Holten; uncles, Vernon (Sheila) Nelson, Gary (Karen) Nelson; aunts, Marion Peterson, Janice Olson and Patty Nelson; and many other cousins and relatives.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Nels C. and Bertina Nelson; Thom and Annie Holten; parents, Albin and Deloris; brother, Roger; uncles and aunts, Marvin Nelson, Avis Nelson, Wallace Roppe, Joan Roppe, Arnold Peterson, William Olson, Jerome Nelson, Goodwin Holten, Ted Holten, Bertha Holten, Edlin Holten, Inga Holten, Elsie Mikkelson, Alma Lull; grand nephew and niece, Kristopher and McKayla Holten-Welker; and pets, Rocky and Lightning.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Johnson Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service.
Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Newfolden.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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