Gene Holderness

Holderness, Gene To say Gene Holderness touched the lives of those who knew him would be an understatement. His laughter filled the room and his larger than life personality changed lives. He believed his job in life was to make other's lives better, and he accomplished this repeatedly. Gene left his mark everywhere he went. Eugene "Beanie" Holderness, 80, of Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2018. Gene met the love of his life, Susie (Fry), while on Christmas vacation and told her he was going to marry her on their first date. His solid faith in Jesus set the tone of his life by serving others in business, through the church, in his family, and in his community. He was admired for his quick wit and blazing intellect which made him the "go-to" guy you called when you wanted to get things done no matter how big of a project it was. To be loved by Gene was a gift in itself. Gene's greatest joy was his family. He never missed a sporting event, choir concert, or activity of any kind for any of his four children or 10 grandchildren. He could instantly find them in a room of hundreds and always had a big hug to greet them. Born and raised in Hinsdale, Illinois, Beanie was a basketball star and tennis champion at Hinsdale High School. A basketball scholarship took him to the University of Wisconsin where he joined the Chi Psi fraternity. He later attended Harvard Business School where he graduated as a Baker Scholar. He founded Minnesota Homes, and then spent the remainder of his career as Chief Operating Officer for Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, Dorsey & Whitney, and Leonard, Street & Deinard. Gene also ran campaigns for U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger, State Congressman Erik Paulsen, State Senator Roy Terwilliger, and State Representative Keith Downey a group of leaders he is proud to be associated with. Gene is survived by his wife of 54 years, Susie; brother and sister-in-law, Alan & Janet Holderness; children Phuc & Hoa Pham, Matt Holderness, Alex & Christina Holderness, Brooks & Mark Wilkening, Ashley & Andy Swanda; grandchildren Matthew, Jessica, Kathryn, Will, Abby, Mitchell, Ryan, Hailey, Rachel and Michael; as well as an incredible community of friends who prayed, golfed, and ate with him faithfully through life's adventures. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 6th at Colonial Church in Edina, MN. The family invites friends to stay for lunch following the service. Donations can be made in Gene's name to Young Life and Colonial Church.

Tributes

Gene Holderness

July 30, 2018

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