Today we mourn the loss of a husband, father and grandfather, a man who will be remembered
for his deep love of family, faith, and profession, and devotion to his beloved Kenosha.
Donald Kieth Holland was born on July 10, 1928, in Marinette, WI, to the late Helen (Miller)
and Marshall Holland. He was preceded in death by his brother, Marshall Robert Holland and
wife (Honey) Phyllis, and nephew Dan Holland.
Don was raised in Iron Mountain, MI. After graduating from Iron Mountain High School he
entered the Navy Air Corps V-5 Program as a midshipman and received his B.S.C.E from
Michigan Technological University in 1950. He was a registered Professional Engineer (PE) and
Registered Land Surveyor (RLS) in Wisconsin and Michigan.
After college, he worked as an Civil Engineer for the City of Dayton, OH when The Korean War broke out. After 2 years of service in the U.S. Army, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve as an Ensign in the Civil Engineer Corps. He retired after 30 years, ending his service as a Naval
Officer, Commander (CDR). He was affectionately known as Commander Don to family and
friends.
Don had a long career of civil service. He began employment for the City of Kenosha as Civil
Engineer from 1955 until 1957. After positions as Director of Public Works for the cities of
Menominee, MI and Franklin, WI, Don returned to the City of Kenosha in 1964 becoming its
Director of Public Works. He became City Administrator in 1986, retiring in 1993.
He was a proponent of priming the pump to stabilize Kenosha’s center core, especially
dilapidated buildings. He was instrumental in creating Southport Marina, redeveloping the
former harbor site of Simmons Mattresses, and later, the American Motors auto plant. The
revitalized lakefront now features the Civil War Museum and Kenosha History Center,
Wolfenbuttel Park, named for Kenosha’s Sister City in Germany, a children’s playground, and
landscaped open space.
Don continued to serve Kenosha during his retirement. From 1996 until 2010, he was elected 5
times as Alderman of the Third District, guiding revitalization projects, and active in the
expansion of the Kenosha Regional Airport and the City’s Business Parks.
In 1954, Don married Jean Peterson in Racine, WI. They had five children: Cindy Phelps (Jim), La Crosse, WI; Debra Ketterhagen (Dale), Waterford, WI; Patti Brewer, La Crosse WI; David Holland (Janelle) Franklin, WI; and Todd Holland (Judith McKennell), Libertyville, IL. Don and Jean later divorced. In 1973, Don married Joyce Welch (née Ritacca). Joyce is left to cherish his memories after 48 loving years together.
Survivors include 5 extended-children: John Welch, Silver Lake, WI; Linda Welch, Nashville,
TN; Geoff Welch (Jeffrey Gennette), Brooklyn NY; Cindy MacIver (Douglas), Rochester, MN;
and Joy Jurewicz (Matthew), Richfield, MN. Survivors also include 11 grandchildren: Ryan Alby (Brittany); Christopher Alby; Jennifer Biermann (Tony); Tyrell Ketterhagen (Angie); Katie Gnewikow (Wally); Kristen Broughton (Brienna); Devon Holland; Dylan, Dustin, Hannah and Heidi Holland; 10 extended-grandchildren: Thomas and Eric MacIver; Graham Welch; Jude Welch; Eli and Isabella Jurewicz; Allie Wallick; and Hunter Zamilalo; and 11 great-grandchildren: Luke and Reid Biermann, Collins Alby; Tristan, Maddy, Caleb and Seth Ketterhagen; Lotus MacIver; Mia Gnewikow; and Sutton Holland. Don is further survived by nieces, nephews, relatives and countless friends.
As a proud, active Kenoshan, Don was Executive Director of Kenosha Sister Cities Association, a member of Kenosha Elks, Kiwanis and Navy Clubs; the Danish Brotherhood, and a longtime usher at St. Mary’s Lutheran Church. Don was an avid, lifelong car enthusiast. He loved road racing at Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI and Blackhawk Farms in South Bend, IL. His hobbies included attending car shows and reading every car magazine he could find. He knew the specs, make and model of practically every sports and passenger car. Family would always ask his advice before buying a vehicle. Don was a consummate tinkerer, spending countless hours improving homes, working on projects, feeding his mind, body and spirit throughout his life. He also enjoyed sailing and refurbishing sail boats. Don and Joyce loved traveling, often visiting Kenosha Sister Cities in Douai, France and Wolfenbuttel, Germany, as well as nearly every state in the Union.
Don will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by family, friends, and all who knew and
loved him.
Visitation will take place this evening, Friday, March 12th, at Proko Funeral Home, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held tomorrow, Saturday, March 13th, at St. Mary Lutheran Church, 2001 80th Street, at 10:00 a.m. with full military honors. Interment will be held privately at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to St. Mary’s Lutheran Church and St. Anne’s Catholic Church, both in Kenosha.
