DR. MELBOURNE EDWARD HOLSTEEN

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DR. MELBOURNE EDWARD HOLSTEEN November 3, 1924 December 14, 2006 Age 82, Mel went home to be with the Lord in Tarpon Springs, FL. Surviving are his wife, Valerie; his daughters, Alice (Vladimir) and Carole (Gordon), and his son Philip; his stepson Stephen (Mariquita) and stepdaughter Lisa (Thomas); eight grandchildren, Nathan, Alicia, Kristine, Andrew, Hilary, Benjamin, Anna, and Caleb; six siblings, Faith, Verdaine, Darrell, Verle, Marveline, Donnaline; and 11 nieces and 17 nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Miriam, and his brother Dalton. Mel Holsteen grew up on a farm. He served as Infantry Battalion Intelligence Officer in the European Theatre of the Second World War, and was honourably discharged as a first lieutenant. He earned a B.A. Honours in Bible in 1951 and an M.A. in New Testament Theology in 1953 at Wheaton College; an M.A. in Anthropology in 1968 at the University of Minnesota; and a Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1982 at the University of Florida. He was ordained in 1953. Mel served in education in Ethiopia with the Sudan Interior Mission from 1954 - 1959 with his first wife, Miriam. He taught at Northwestern College and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and at the University of Winnipeg, where he was the Department of Anthropology Chair from 1974 - 1979. After his early retirement in 1988, Mel served on the Providence College and Seminary Board and Corporation, and also helped to establish and teach the Perspectives course in Michigan. He was an active member of his churches, faithfully serving as teacher and board member. Mel was quick to acknowledge God's kindnesses as the foundation for his accomplishments and character. A curious, lifelong learner, he was humble and open-minded to new evidence, and patient even with those who differed. Slow to take offense and quick to forgive, he looked for the best in people. He led by example, consistently putting others' needs and desires ahead of his own. A man of integrity in all areas of his life, he left a lasting legacy of people equipped to carry on without him. Mel genuinely loved and related to people of all walks of life, valuing everyone as an individual. He eagerly studied the Bible, was devoted to prayer, was a teacher at heart, enjoyed sacred and classical music, and related his faith to every aspect of his lifein all of these interests he sought and found his treasure, the Lord Jesus Christ. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21 The funeral took place in Lansing, MI, on December 19. Memorial donations may be made either to the Wolaitta Bible project (Ethiopia) of SIM Canada, 10 Huntingdale Blvd., Scarborough, ON M1W 2S5, (800) 294-6918, or to the Gideons, P.O. Box 3619, Guelph, ON N1H 7A2, (888) 482-4253.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 23, 2006