Dr. Ervin Frederick Holle peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at the age of 86. 

He was born in Lincoln County, Kansas, on July 11, 1939, to William and Clara Stelling Holle. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sylvan Grove, Kansas. 

Ervin was united in marriage on December 22, 1962, to Karen Louise MacGibbon at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

After graduating from Sylvan Grove Rural High School in 1957, Ervin attended Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, and graduated from Concordia in 1961. Ervin had planned to further his education but was offered a Call to teach fifth and sixth grade at Immanuel Lutheran School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which he accepted. He was also the church organist and choir director. After getting his master’s degree at the University of New Mexico, he was hired as the Superintendent of the Norwood School District in Colorado. Ervin completed his doctorate degree in 1972. He served as Executive Director of Southwest Board of Cooperative Services, in Cortez, Colorado, a cooperative of eight rural school districts in southwestern Colorado. Later in life, Ervin changed careers to real estate sales and appraisals. He retired in 2023. 

Ervin was active in the Rocky Mountain District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He served in multiple roles on the Board of Directors for many years. One of those roles was on the Land Management Task Force, which was instrumental in the land development of Lutheran High School, and Grace Lutheran Church, both in Parker, Colorado. 

Ervin participated in many different areas of church life. He was well known as Father Abraham during children’s messages in church and preschool chapels. He loved to play cards, camp, hunt, fish, and tinker.

Preceding him in death are his parents, William and Clara Holle; sister, Daralene Thomas; and brother, Eldon Holle. He is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Kevin Holle (Christie), and Keith Holle (Beth); and sister-in-law, Edra Holle; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 3:00-7:00 pm, Friday, November 21, 2025, at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary - 6601 S Colorado Blvd., Centennial, CO. 

Funeral services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - 7691 S University Blvd., Centennial, Colorado. 

Interment will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Sylvan Grove, Kansas. 

Memorials can be sent to “Tuition Assistance” 

• Immanuel Lutheran Church - 300 Gold Ave., Albuquerque, NM 87102; ilcabq.org (online giving button)

• Lutheran High School - 11249 Newlin Gulch Blvd., Parker, CO 80134; lhsparker.org (donor page)