Joe D. Holland

Joe D. Holland, 90, of Mankato, MN, passed away peacefully on July 16, at home at The Pillars surrounded by his loving family, due to complications from a stroke in 2024.

Celebration of Life will be held on July 28th at 11:00AM Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be 1 hour before the service, and will continue after the service at a luncheon at the church. A private family burial will be held at Glenwood Cemetery.

Joe Dean Holland was born on February 22, 1935, in Winnebago, MN to Raymond and Irene (Stratton) Holland. His family moved to Mankato when he was a second grader and he grew up in Mankato, graduating from Mankato High School in 1954. Joe’s fondest High School memory was singing with the Kato Kords, a barbershop quintet. His family was honored to see the Kato Kords perform at his grandchildren's homecoming coronations at Mankato West as he celebrated his class reunions. Enlisting after his junior year of high school, Joe served in the Naval Air Reverse. He spent 8 years in the reserves earning the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. He was responsible for keeping all medical and office records. His naval training took him to 27 different states. Joe continued his education earning a Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Mankato State Teachers College in 1958 and 1961. Joe married his college sweetheart Mary K. Nesseth from Kenyon, MN on July 27, 1957. Their first date was a blind date set up by Joe’s mom. Joe taught at Hastings High School and Austin Community College until he accepted an administrative position at Mankato State College in 1965. He served in several administrative positions during his 28 years of service at Mankato State - 18 of those years as the Director of Personnel Management. In 1971 Joe continued his higher education earning a Doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston, Houston, TX. He retired in 1993. Joe’s fondest memory at Mankato State was the administrative staff and staying in touch with those friends after retirement.

Joe enjoyed woodworking, photography, singing, playing the accordion in his early years, traveling, friends and his family. Seeing his family happy is what always made Joe the happiest. “They are my loved ones and if they are happy, I am really, really happy too. What more could I ask for in life?” As a family they enjoyed camping, traveling, and spending time at their lake home on Lake Washington. In retirement Joe and Mary had many fun times with family and friends during their 25 winters in sunny Surprise, AZ. Joe’s other pastime passion was organizing records, photos, files, emails, and any kind of office work.

Joe was a 57 year active member of Kiwanis, serving as past president and lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis MN Dakota District. He was proud of the service work his Kiwanis club did for the community. He was a long time member of the Christ the King choir. Joe & Mary valued their friends and made an effort to keep in touch with their various social groups regularly for decades. Looking back at their 68 years of marriage Joe says “We have been so blessed I would need to write a book to share the highlights.” My family and my home are what I am most proud of.”

Joe is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 68 years, their daughters; Laurie Holland of Bloomington, MN, and Cynthia (Al) Dutcher of North Mankato, MN. Two Grandchildren; Emily (Mitch) Kaplan of Savage, MN, Alex Joe (Kelly) Dutcher of Lakewood, CO. Two Great Grandchildren; Oliver & Graham Kaplan. His sister Laetetia Schulze of St. Paul, MN, and his brother James Holland of Burnsville, MN. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Sara (Marv) Schrader of Faribault, MN, brother-in-laws Paul (Mary Lou) of Kenyon, MN, John (Linda) Nesseth of Thorton, CO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Joe was preceded in death by both his and Mary’s parents, brother-in-law Clifford Schulze, and sister-in-law Mary Jim Holland.

Memorials preferred to Christ the King Lutheran Church or Kiwanis.