Well known Howard County resident Dewey Aaron Holst passed away at his home on Tuesday morning, May 25, 2021.  He was 96 years of age.

The eleventh of fourteen children of Harley Emmett and Nellie Conner Holst, Dewey was born at Gravois Mills, MO on January 12, 1925.  In 1931, his family came to Howard County and located near Lisbon where he attended Rose Hill School. For High School he came to Glasgow where he graduated with the class of 1943.  There he met Lillie Mae Nation who became the love of his life.  The two were wed on September 4, 1945, in Kelso WA, where Dewey was stationed at nearby Portland (Oregon) Air Force Base.

Mr. Holst was justly proud of his service to his country during World War II.  He was drafted in 1943 and requested to be sent to the U. S. Army Air Force.  Serving in the European Theatre of the War he was stationed in England and flew as a Tail Turret Gunner on the new B-24 Bomber. His crew flew combat missions into Germany and were met with heavy enemy fire.  On his first mission, their plane lost an engine but they were able to return to base on the remaining three.  On their third mission, however, the loss of two engines and a considerable amount of fuel forced Dewey and three other airmen to bail out over Le Mans, France.  They survived and were picked up by a U.S. Security Patrol.  Dewey and his fellow crew members were to fly a total of thirty-five missions the last of which was flown on April 7, 1945.  For his meritorious service he was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon with 5 Bronze Stars and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. (Further information is available at the website, www.ollietwo.com).  

After completing his tour of duty, he returned to Missouri and worked from 1946 to 1987 at the Fairfax General Motors plant in Kansas City.  During that time, the Holsts made their home in Kansas City where they were active members of the Belmont Christian Church.  A 32^nd Degree Mason, he was a member of Sheffield Lodge # 65, A.F.& A.M.  They enjoyed traveling and attended several 8^th Air Force reunions.

After his retirement from General Motors, Dewey and Lillie Mae returned to Howard County and enjoyed life on their farm near Richland Christian Church where he continued to live after the death of his wife on March 27, 2014.  Strong is his faith, Dewey was devoted to his church.  He joined Richland Christian Church in 1946.  Later he was a member of Belmont Christian Church, Richland Church, and Fayette First Christian Church where he faithfully attended for as long as his health permitted.  He was a loving and devoted husband and father and a cherished friend who will be sincerely missed by all those who knew him.

Mr. Holst is survived by his daughter, Vinita (Stephen) Schmitt of Fayette, eight grandchildren, Bruce (Deven) King, Aaron (Brandy) King, Krystal (Jason) Burris, Julie Barton, Jaclyn Barton, Tiffany Blackwell, Stacey (Preston) Weaver and Stephanie Livingston; numerous great and great-great grandchildren, including his special doctor, Sammy.  Dewey is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  In addition to his wife and parents, Dewey was preceded in death by eight brothers, Jack, Wils, Johnny, Dolcy, Robert, Noah “Nine”, Daniel and David Holst, and five sisters, Naomi Holst, Nehemiah Van Skyke, Kathryn Boggs, Nell Hendricks and Tiny Burchard.

Services for Dewey A. Holst will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, May 30 at Fayette First Christian Church with Pastor Stephen Johnson officiating.  Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the church. Burial will follow the service at Richland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Richland Cemetery in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service; 174 Hwy 5 & 240 North, Fayette, MO 65248.