Obituary of Randy Holfeld

It is with great sadness, but with thanks for a life well lived that we announce the passing away of Randy on July 6, 2019, surrounded by his family at the Yorkton Regional Hospital. Randolph Charles Holfeld was born March 3, 1936 in Calgary Alberta, to Karl and Charlotte Holfeld and shortly after moved with his family to Regina, Saskatchewan. The son of a Lutheran minister and one of four boys, his early years were dominated by church life and learning the values of hard work, discipline, and service to the community. Randy graduated from Luther College in Regina and went on to study engineering at the University of Saskatchewan. He subsequently attended the University of Manitoba in the school of architecture. Ever the perfectionist, Randy determined that engineering was the field which he could contribute in the manner he wished. He returned to the U of S and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1963. It was one of the best decisions he made as it was during this time he met Dianne Dean and they became partners for life and were married in 1963. Upon graduating Randy started working with B.B. Torchinsky and Associates, an engineering consulting firm. In 1964 Randy and Dianne moved to Yorkton where he accepted the job of assistant city engineer. In 1965 he became Yorkton's city engineer. In 1971, with four children under the age of 6, they moved to Lethbridge, Alberta for Randy to accept the position of Engineer Director and became City Manager in 1975. In 1981 he took a leap of faith, leaving municipal engineering, and entered the world of small business as a partner in Logan Stevens Construction, a general contractor in Yorkton. Outside of his career Randy had many artistic endeavours and his love of building and creativity came through in his stained glass works, wood carving, pottery, painting, and set design for Yorkton community theatre. Music was always an important part of Randy's life, and although not musically gifted himself, his love of music was pervasive and has been passed down to all his children. Randy's belief was that one got out of the community what they put into it, and upon his retirement at age 65 he maintained his lifestyle of hard work and service by volunteering as board member and chair for many local organizations, including the Yorkton Parks and Recreation Council, the Yorkton Arts Council, Habitat for Humanity, the Yorkton Airport Authority, and the Crystal Lake Hamlet board. His unique skill set of engineering and design, artistic creativity, and business acumen enabled him to contribute to these organizations in many different ways. Crystal Lake became a special place for Randy and Dianne, and their summers were spent at their cabin where they were able to enjoy lake life and its outdoor activities, but more importantly the happy hours and socializing with their large group of friends. When Randy made a friend, it was a friend for life, and he cherished the many activities they enjoyed together, from his annual fishing trip of over 40 years to the weekly pottery group. The family would especially like to thank all these friends for the support and care they have shown to them and to Randy as he battled dementia and most recently cancer. Randy was predeceased by his parents and his brothers Harold and Trevor Holfeld. He will be remembered by his wife of 56 years Dianne of Yorkton, SK, his son Greg, wife Louise and grandchildren Franklin and Hugh of Adelaide, Australia, daughter Lee of Fort MacLeod, Alberta, son Tom, wife Leslie and grandchildren Christine and Sean of Saskatoon, SK, son Kurt (partner J.C.) of Montreal, Quebec and brother Karl Jr. and wife Eileen of Squim, Washington, and numerous nieces and nephews. Service Details. Service When: Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 11:00am Location: St. Andrew's United Church Address: 29 Smith St. East YORKTON, SK S3N 0H3 Interment Location: Yorkton City Cemetery Address: King St. East YORKTON, SK