Irvin E. Holt

Irvin Eugene Holt, 93, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.  On March 15, 1931, Goldie Pearl and Orville Holt broke the mold when their youngest son, Irvin Eugene Holt was born. He was born on a farm in Ogle County, Illinois, and was the youngest in a family of 8 siblings which included 5 older brothers and 3 sisters. He was also the last of his siblings to pass away. His family and friends called him Irv. Irv passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024, at Swedish American Hospital after a short illness. He was 93 years young. Growing up, he loved to play basketball, baseball, ice skating and hunting with his dog Mike. He lived most of his life in Rockford, IL and in the surrounding communities including Belvidere and New Milford. He was involved with the New Milford school board for a number of years. He was also a proud Mason. Irv loved spending time in Wisconsin, fishing and hunting with the guys.  His mom often baked his favorite pies, apple and lemon meringue. His siblings were his best friends and they spent long hours telling stories.

Irv married Bruna Donzello-Holt on March 21, 1975. Irv and his wife Bruna created many wonderful memories with family and friends during their 49 years of marriage. He was Bruna’s love of her life, and she was his. Family was everything. Between Irv and Bruna, they have 6 children, 23 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, along with lots of nieces and nephews.

Irv worked at JL Clark in Rockford, IL, retiring as a Plant Superintendent in charge of Production.  He loved fishing, golfing, going for walks, bird watching and keeping up with world news.  Anyone and everyone who met Irv was instantly drawn in by his quick wit and funny stories. If you brought him cookies, you would be a friend for life. He had many friends.  He loved traveling to visit his children and Bruna’s Italian family in Venice, Italy. Irv loved visiting Italy with Bruna and her family. They enjoyed Rome, Florence, Assisi and Bruna’s home in Venice. Irv and Bruna spent the last few years enjoying going between their homes in Windsor, Colorado and Rockford, Illinois.

Irv is survived by his wife, Bruna Donzello-Holt; children, Jack Holt of Windsor, Colorado, Chris (Rich) Freeland of Oxford, Wisconsin, Elisabeth (John) Wenner of Phoenix, Arizona, Gregory Sederquist of Rockford, Illinois; and sister-in-law, Laura Donzello of Venice, Italy and her family.  His youngest son, Steve Holt, daughter Dana (Yale) Stork preceded his death, and Phyllis Johnson Holt, the mother of his children Jack, Chris and Steve.

Irv was a fun-loving character who had much “CHARACTER”: integrity, honesty, eloquent, compassion, and love. He was a hard worker. To sum it up, he was the true definition of values, morals, and ethics.

There will be no services at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org, or a charity of your choice.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Irvin E. Holt, please visit our floral store.