Brian Lee Holst, age 60, of Blue Grass, passed away on Friday, June 13, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. A visitation will be held from 10–12 noon, Sunday, June 22, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1–4 p.m., Sunday, June 22, at the Durant Community Center. In lieu of flowers, please donate toward the Brian Holst Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will be used for 4-H, FFA, and school restoration projects through Classic Green. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
A beloved husband to a wonderful wife, a father to three beautiful daughters, two bonus sons, a grandfather to six amazing grandchildren and devoted friend to many great people. If anyone bled John Deere Green, it was Brian. He lived the brand in many ways. The Holst family has been farming in Scott County since the 1850s, with Brian leading the way since the early 90s. He worked at John Deere for over 35 years. At dealerships, John Deere Corp. Archives, the Historic Site and his proudest achievement, The John Deere Collectors Center. After retiring from John Deere, he went to work with Aumann Auctions because “he wasn’t done playing with tractors.”
Brian didn’t hunt, fish or hike. His passions always involved tractors. From tractor pulling with his best friends on the Black Smith Pulling Team to having the honor of being a Chevron Delo Tractor Restoration Competition judge. Brian was a proud member of NATPA, AETA, Classic Green, Deer Valley Collectors and many more. Brian did everything from his heart and never expected anything in return. He had solutions for every problem. People respected his knowledge, his experience and advice. The world lost not only a man of gold but a true golden man.
Brian leaves behind his true love, Shelly Holst; daughters, Abby (Chad Wilson) Holst of Davenport, Danica (Clifton) Simmons of Laramie, Wyo., Courtney (Ryne) Warhurst of Durant; stepsons, Andrew (Alyssa Shepard) Rogers and Levi Rogers of Loveland, Colo.; six grandchildren, Ayden, Camdyn, Jayce, Emma, Levi, and Shaylynn; his Great Dane, Zoey, who was like Velcro; and his two grand-dogs.
There to welcome their son home again were his parents, Doris and Kenneth Holst.
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