Chester "Chet" Holland

Chester, “Chet” Holland, 93, long time resident of Atlantic, died Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Heritage House.

Born on March 20, 1928, in rural Brayton, Iowa, to Danish immigrants Jens and Anna Holland, Chet Holland learned at an early age, while working on the farm, the value of working hard, being positive, never complaining, and keeping a humble attitude. These values were kept his entire life as he grew up in Anita, Iowa. He attended Grant #4 country school with 4 siblings and graduated from Anita High School in 1946. Chet then joined the Army where he traveled the country training for helicopter maintenance and repair. He met Marj at the roller-skating rink in Atlantic. On December 26, 1951, Chet and Marj were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church after which time they moved to San Marcus, Texas and Lawton, Oklahoma before returning to Atlantic. After his time in the Army, he worked at Pelgas and farmed on the side in Cass County.

Chet held his family and Danish heritage close to his heart, especially at Christmas time when he made ebelskivers and gifted Danish ornaments and memorabilia to his children and grandchildren. It was not uncommon to hear Chet reciting Danish poetry or nursery rhymes to his family throughout the year. He enjoyed rooting for the Cyclones, Hawkeyes, and playing in a bridge club with other couples who became life long friends. In his later years he especially loved the annual Florida snow bird trip with Marj.

“Go ask Chet” was the normal statement at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church because Chet knew so much about how the church functioned. Throughout his life, he was on numerous committees at the church while also serving as President of the Atlantic Lions Club and being an active member of the Friends of the Danish Museum in Elk Horn, Iowa. He enjoyed woodworking and gifted many shelves and furniture items to family and friends over the years. Chet also loved raising Black Angus beef, farming corn and beans and later, planting roses with Marj. He was a man of fact, not fiction and will never be forgotten for his support of his children and grandchildren’s education. Fact; his farming life had great yields. Fact; his family life had even better yields.

Chet started prayers by saying “With gratitude and grace” as he worshipped God. Throughout his life he remained a follower of Jesus as a humble, encouraging, role model who always had a servant attitude and will remain a great example to all who knew him. As a father he exemplified all of these traits while also being a symbol of strength, a reliable advisor, and a man of unconditional love. Chet, Dad, grandpa, you will never be forgotten.

He is survived by his daughters, Julie Holland of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Karen and husband, Chris Robb of Lenexa, Kansas; his son, Jon Holland of Ames, Iowa; his grandchildren, Anna Robb of Kansas City, Missouri, Kirsten Robb of Lenexa, Kansas, and Haley Holland of Council Bluffs, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Peggy Holland and Betty Holland; cousin, Raymond and wife, Joyce Holland; and many nieces, nephews, special friends and neighbors.

Chet is preceded in death by his wife, Marj; parents, Jens and Anna Holland; and his siblings, Imo, Gladys, Spencer and Dean.

Visitation with the family present will be held at Roland Funeral Service from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 16th.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 17, 2022, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. In recognition of his time in the U.S. Army, the Atlantic Color Guard will present military honors at the conclusion of the funeral service at the church. Burial will be held at the Atlantic Cemetery. The funeral service will be recorded and available for viewing one day after the service at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.

Memorials may be made to the Museum of Danish America.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Chet’s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.