Willis "Willie" Holwerda

Willis (Willie) Kent Holwerda, 78 of Nunn died Saturday morning January 15 at his home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His wife Carol and family were at his side as he battled to be set free from the encumbrances of this life. Willie was born to Dr. William and Violet Holwerda on August 14, 1932 in Salina, Kansas and was raised and schooled in his beloved home town of Lindsborg, Kansas. He attended Kansas State University and later joined the United States Navy and served on a mine sweeper during the Korean War. He moved to Nunn, Colorado in 1978 from West Texas and opened the legendary Willie's Diesel Service on Highway 85 where he grew to attract customers from all over the western United States. Willie was well known for repairing Detroit engines and was considered by many to be the best Detroit man west of the Mississippi River. In the thirty three years he operated in Nunn, he launched many young men into a mechanic's career. He was well known and loved by many for his charismatic personality, his one-liners and his generosity to those in need. He often put the needs of others before his own and would stay up late into the night to put a trucker back on the road or a farmer up on his tractor. His High School classmates, after sixty years have loved and supported him through his illness often writing memories of their childhood experiences with him which brought much joy to his last days. He was a member of Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland, Colorado and the Pierce American Legion Post # 188. He is survived by his wife Carol, two daughters Betty Holwerda-Nelson and husband Jim and Dr. Jane Holwerda of Dodge City, Kansas; one son Willis Kent Schmidt and wife Judi, Lindsborg, Kansas; one step daughter Judy Moya and husband David of Texas, two step sons, Bruce Martin and wife Kathy from Greeley and Walter Martin and wife Tara, from Galeton; seven grand children and five great grand children; a brother Jim and wife Luella from Arkansas and a sister Mary Jane and husband Ken from Centennial, Colorado and several nieces and nephews and a host of friends in Kansas and Colorado. He is preceded in death by his father and mother and an infant son Gregory Holwerda. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, January 20, 2011 at the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton, 1325 3rd Street in Eaton with Interment in Mountainview Cemetery in Nunn. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue in Evans. A reception will be held in the Nunn Community following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Nunn Community Center in care the Town of Nunn, 185 Lincoln Avenue, Nunn, Colorado 80648.

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Willis "Willie" Holwerda

August 14, 1932 - January 15, 2011