Edward "Lynn" Holsten

Edward “Lynn” Holsten, age 84, passed away on November 21, 2019 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake and Lynn will be laid to rest in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Lynn born June 26, 1935 in Maddock, North Dakota to Mildred E. (Volden) and Angelo E. Holsten. Edward was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Devils Lake and was baptized there on October 12, 1935.

Edward is survived by siblings: Marvin (Bev) Holsten, Jim Holsten, and Susan Holsten all of Palisade, Minnesota, Janet (Richard) Kelly, Siren, Wisconsin, and Linda Whitlock, Plano, Texas. Edward was preceded into death by his parents and brothers: Donald, Sylvester, Dennis and sister Joan.

Lynn was at the Grafton State School 1947 to 1988. He then moved to Devils Lake and started with LRC. He then went to 4^th Corp in Devils Lake from 1988-2004. In 2004 until present he has been with REM and attending LRC day program. Lynn lived with his roommate Larry for over 20 years. They have been together since 4^th Corp. They have lived on a farm together raising animals to living in town in their own apartment.

Lynn loved life. REM became Lynn’s family and he loved his apartment and roommate and his staff. He was known for his giggle. He was usually always ready to “go go go”! He liked to be around others and he liked to visit with people. He loved his coffee and toast, and also loved eating pancakes at the Cedar Inn with his the staff that he nicknamed “pancakes” (Sharon H). His favorite song was “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash (although he would say it was Elvis!) Lynn also loved listening to Hank Williams music.

He would show his appreciation to people by patting on the shoulder and smiling at you. Lynn loved to receive gifts, no matter what they were.  He loved to watch birds while sitting in his recliner. Lynn loved going by the lake to watch the boats on the water. He liked going to Sully’s Hill, and parades. 

Lynn had a best friend, Lawrence Volk, whom he spent over 20 years living with. Lynn and Larry did everything together, except when staff would take Lynn to Grand Forks to go shopping and he got staff all to himself (he got excited just talking about the trip!) Lynn loved Larry’s family like his own. Lynn would often talk Jack into bringing him hats telling him “hat hat hat”!

People around Lynn would often hear him clap his hands while saying “Happy, Happy, Happy”. Lynn took pride in how he was dressed, often changing clothes 3 or 4 times a day, all the while stating he was “handsome, handsome, handsome” which he could be heard saying while blushing.

Lynn liked to watch Wheel of Fortune. He would sit with staff and guess the letters.  He liked to watch people in the kitchen, cleaning the house or doing the dishes but if you asked him to help he would often say “that’s women’s work!” and then laugh. He was, however, always proud to be able to do chores around the house all by himself and would exclaim proudly “all by myself, all by myself” and giggle.

Honorary Pallbearers: Larry, Robert, Tim, John, REM Staff

Lynn will be greatly missed by all.