Kenneth Holley was born December 17, 1935 in Sheboygan Wisconsin and passed away May 11, 2021 at the age of 85. Ken was the son of the late Carroll and Lucille (Radtke) Holley. He attended Bethlehem Lutheran School in Sheboygan and Keefe Avenue in Milwaukee, graduating from Rufus King High – Milwaukee in 1954.
After considering pre-dentistry at Marquette University (1954-55) and the Lutheran ministry at Concordia – Milwaukee, Ft. Wayne and St. Louis, MO (1955-60), he took Martin Luther’s advice that if you can’t preach, then teach! He received a Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland and then taught social studies in the public schools of Maryland, Minnesota and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin for a number of years.
Inspired by his grandfather’s ownership of the former State Theater on Sheboygan’s south side as well as by childhood visits to other movie palaces especially the impressive Sheboygan Theater, Ken eventually operated his own theater in Canby, Minnesota for 10 years.
Later, Ken drove Metro Transit city busses in Minneapolis for seven years before retiring in 2004. This love of public transit was also learned from the example of his grandfather and uncles who had operated the streetcars of Sheboygan for many years.
In retirement, Ken has traveled much, studying the genealogy of his family. He was a member of the Sheboygan County Research Center and the LaSalle County Genealogy Guild.
Ken is survived by his siblings, Lynn (Richard) Pawelski and Dale Holley; nephew, Mark (Bridget) Pawelski; niece, Diane (Thomas) Walsh and special cousins, Sharon Ehren and Susan Cramer. He is further survived by Walter (Marian) Hildebrand, other relatives and friends. Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Carroll and Lucille (Radtke) Holley.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran School in Ken’s name.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.reinboldfh.com
