Allen Alfred Holst, 91, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Rolling Hills Health Care in Belle Fourche, SD.
Graveside Services with military honors will be held at Black Hills National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 2:00 P.M.
Allen was born July 29, 1932, at the Sturgis hospital to Ernest and Dora (Trigg) Holst, but his twin brother, Alvin was born in the car on Sly Hill north of Sturgis. Allen attended 8 years at the Fairview School just a mile away from his home and graduated from Vale High School in 1950. After high school he worked on the family farm. He then attended one semester at School of Mines. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954-1958, earning a Good Conduct Medal and a AACS Squadron Medal.
He married Kathleen Hammerquist in 1955. Allen was stationed in Biloxi, MS, Great Falls, MT, and then Tucson, AZ., where Jeannine was born. Allen left the Air Force and moved to Caputa, and then Rapid City and worked at Lobdell Fix-it shop. He then worked for the Federal Aviation Administration starting in 1960 in Lincoln, NE, where Janice was then born. The family then returned to Rapid City in 1965 Allen and continued to work for the FAA at the Rapid City airport until 1985, when he was transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then to Prescott, AZ, where he retired in 1993.
Allen had skills as a mechanic, and electrician and which were much appreciated by many people. He put his talents to use for many years as he built a large house in west Rapid City. He was an active member of the Elks Club, the Lions Club and was part of the Big Brother program.
Allen was loved by Kathleen’s friends and family. While raising his two daughters, Jeannie, and Janice he also helped raise his cousins, Ed, Mary, and Tom Trigg, who had lost their father.
After Allen retired from the FFA, he went back to work as an independent contractor for Raytheon which took him to many interesting jobs along the West Coast and Hawaii. During these years he had four grandchildren and was able to spend a lot of quality time with them. After much travel and a nomadic lifestyle, he wanted to return home to the family property near Vale and spend his time working on different projects. Allen loved animals, especially cats, often picking up animals in need and bringing them home. He loved sailing and even built his own sailboat (it was referred to as the stone boat). He secretly took dance lessons which led to many hours dancing with Kathleen. He was a wonderful role model for his grandchildren. He was mostly known for his ability to fix anything, anywhere. This is his legacy. He was an honorable man of many talents and loved by all.
Allen is survived by his daughters, Janice Takagi (Mike Cox), Tucson, AZ, and Jeannine (Claude Cormane), California; sister, Judy (Art) Ollila, Vale, SD; four grandchildren, Frank Cormane of California, Tyler, Alyssa, and Kyle Takagi of Arizona; and many nieces and nephews.
Allen is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Dora (Trigg) Holst; brothers, Roger, Kenneth, and twin, Alvin Holst; former wife, Kathleen Hammerquist Holst; and special friend Donna Eagan.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a memorial donation to your favorite pet rescue organization.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.
