Holt, Joel Ferdinand

Joel Ferdinand Holt, 80, of Marion, formerly of Earlville, died Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011, at his home. Memorial services: 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Marion. The family will greet friends from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.  

Joel was born Feb. 24, 1931, the son of Edwin and Lottie (Levorson) Holt in Northwood, Iowa. He was raised in the Lake Mills area and graduated from Martin Luther High School in 1950 at New Ulm, Minn. Joel served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Japan. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1959. In 1964, he was united in marriage to Marvel Songer at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone, Iowa. He worked for the Department of Human Services, retiring in 1992.

Joel liked to travel, spend time with family, friends and his grandchildren. For 32 years, he was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Manchester; more recently, he was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Marion.

He is survived by his wife, Marvel; son, Mark (Laura) Holt; daughter, Lisa (Patrick) Metrot; stepdaughter, Kathleen (Neal) Rogers; stepson, Robert Songer; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two grandchildren, four brothers and one sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 915 27th St., Marion, IA 52302, in Joel's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Joel at  under obituaries.

Published Oct. 13, 2011, in The Gazette