Michael Gene “Mike” Holst, age 70 of Ellsworth WI, died peacefully at home on Monday evening, April 23, 2018. Mike was born in Hastings MN on February 10, 1948 to parents William F. Holst Jr. and Helen V. (McKinley) Holst. Mike grew up in Prescott and graduated from Prescott High School with the Class of 1966.

After high school, Mike went to work, farming with family and for the Curtis Farms. Mike spent many years operating machinery for Holst Excavating, and driving semi for Knudsen Trucking, and in 2010 he purchased and operated MS Holst LLC (Trimbelle Quarry). Mike loved animals, especially his dog Duffy and his kitties. He was a great people person with a great sense of humor. Mike took great pride in being a member of the Kiap-TU-Wish chapter of Trout Unlimited, which has a long history of protecting coldwater resources in Western Wisconsin. Mike also enjoyed traveling up north to Birchwood, where he spent many hours with his great friend Al. Mike loved hunting and fishing, and cherished time with his grandkids. He will be missed by many who knew and loved him well.

Mike is survived by his wife, Sue Holst; his children, Michael (Janelle) Holst of Hager City, Michelle (Shawn) Daymond of Prescott, Travis Holst of Ellsworth, Trevor Holst of Hager City, Cindy (Phil) Symes of Hager City, Eric (Leah) Johnson of Hager City, Ronda (Dave) Luna of Menomonie; step-children, Randy (Holly) Clemons of Carthage NC, Aaron Peterson of Ellsworth, and Molly (Ray) Schneider of Elmwood; grandchildren, Michael Holst, Justin Holst, Trevor Jr. Holst, Hunter Daymond, Amanda (Josh) Dietrich, Seth and Colin Johnson, Jarret (Katie) Johnson, Dimitri Luna, Marcos Luna, Brett and Brady Clemons, Aaron Schneider, Rebecca Schneider, Naomi Schneider, and McKenna Schneider; great-grandchild Chase Johnson; his mother, Helen Holst; siblings William III (Nancy) Holst of Prescott, Neal (Norma) Holst of Austin TX, Morris (Leah) Holst of Amery, Jeff (Dodie) Holst of Hager City, and Richard Holst of Amery; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his father, William Holst; his aunt, Ferol Nadeau; and numerous other aunts and uncles.

A Gathering of Family and Friends to honor the life of Mike Holst will be held from 4:00-8:00pm on Friday, April 27th at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N Grant Street, Ellsworth WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials made be directed to the Kiap-TU-Wish chapter of Trout Unlimited for future conservation projects. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth, WI. 715-273-4421