Fonda Ann Holst

Fonda Ann Holst (nee. Dotson) was born December 2, 1937, in West Union, West Virginia, in an apartment in the basement of the Church of Christ. She was the 5th child of six born to Pearl J. Dotson and Lenora Dotson (nee. Swiger). They moved to Wolf Summit, WV, where she attended school in Bristol, WV. During her senior year at Bristol High, her younger sister, Kathleen, was killed in an accident. Her love of family was always strong and, after her graduation in 1956, she remained with her parents during their grieving process while working as a seamstress. In August of 1956 she met the love of her life, Stanley Ross Holst, from Marion, Iowa. Stanley was serving in the U.S. Navy on the ship USS Rockville 851 as a shipmate with Fonda’s brother, Richard. On July 13, 1957, Stanley and Fonda were married in Clarksburg, WV. After Stanley’s discharge from the U.S. Navy, they moved to Ames, IA, where Stanley enrolled in the veterinarian program at Iowa State University.

Fonda became the mother of three beautiful daughters; Janice Kay, Cheryl Lynn and Karen Sue. Alongside being a dedicated mother, she assisted Stanley in his veterinarian practice in Clinton, IA, where they raised their three daughters.

After Stanley retired from his career in veterinarian medicine, they traveled the U.S. in their motorhome while sojourning with the Church of Christ, assisting churches with construction projects, and providing other faithful services. Once they settled down from traveling, they made their home in Dresden, TN, where they attended the Martin Church of Christ. During the 25 years that she called Dresden home, Fonda’s neighbors, Lisa and Tim Hoskins, became part of her family. She considered them her children and felt very fortunate that God brought her to this area so that she could find such loving and caring people. Lisa and Tim meant the world to her and her family is forever grateful for their love and support they brought to Fonda during her life.

Fonda’s interests included sewing, quilting, baking, and exercising at Sideline. She was very faithful to exercising at Sideline and would work out three times a week right up until her death. She met very special people during her time there and cherished the friendships she made. Her golden talent was caring and sharing her love with other people. She provided baked treats to give to her mail lady, Sherry, to the main post office staff, to the staff at the sheriff’s and water departments, and others that she regularly came in contact with during her time here in Dresden. She could sew anything and everything from wedding dresses to hemming curtains. In the later years, she and Stanley made over 60 handmade quilts and gave them to all the special people in their lives.

Most of all, Fonda will be remembered for her love of God and Country. She was a great Christian wife, mother, and friend. Her life is a tribute to God’s embodiment of a Christian woman. She had a moral compass that was on the straight path and never compromised her beliefs. She became good friends with George and Jan Ellis who were angels to her and Stanley. Her love of Country was beyond measure, and she was proud to be a patriot. Her father, brothers and husband were all veterans of the US Navy, and she supported the military anyway she could, and was proud to stand for the American Flag.

Fonda is survived by her husband, Stanley R. Holst; her three daughters, Janice K. Hildebrand (Charles), Cheryl L. Holst (Michael Bassett) and Karen S. Wilkinson (Russel); and six grandchildren: Bradley Voorhees, Jennifer Gibson, Emily Rega, Laura Daniel, Fonda Lilly Wilkinson, Anneliese Wilkinson, and seven great grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Martin Church of Christ, 233 Oxford Street, Martin, TN 38237. In lieu of flowers, please send a note or card to Stanley R. Holst in care of the Church, sharing your memory of your time with Fonda.