Raymond C. Holen

Raymond Curtis Holen, 87, of Westby, passed away peacefully on May 24, 2022 at Gundersen Health System after a short battle with AML.

He was born August 15, 1934 to Oscar and Alice (Skogstad) Holen. He was baptized, confirmed, and was a lifetime member of Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church. He took over the farm at an early age and continued to farm until the very end. He had the first calf born as a result of artificial insemination during a research program at Tri-State Breeders in 1954. Then in 1985 he was presented the Century Farm certificate for the family farm that was originally settled in 1884.  He milked Guernsey and Jersey cows, raised tobacco, and eventually switched all over to crop farming and even found time to work off the farm at Accelerated Genetics and with Beaver Basement Waterproofing. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need and enjoyed being part of extended family celebrations.

He is survived by 2 sisters, Margaret (Charles) Guy of Fallbrook, CA, and Marilyn “Lynn” (Leland) Ekum of Viroqua, 2 brothers Alton of Chico, CA and Dennis of La Crosse, a half-sister-in-law, Helen (Al) Haugen of Coon Valley; numerous very special nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022 at the Coon Valley Lutheran Church. Rev. Julie Wollman will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time. The Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley is assisting the family. Condolences may be given at selandsfuneralhome.com.