Laren Duane Holznagel, 67, of Washburn, N.D., died on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, in Bismarck, following a lengthy illness.  Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at Mission Evangelical Free Church, Wilton, ND with Pastors Mark Thacker and Russ Whitaker officiating.  Interment will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday at Riverview Cemetery, Washburn. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the Goetz Funeral Home website below Laren's obituary.

Laren was born on June 23, 1954, in Turtle Lake, N.D., to Milton L. and Lola O. (Skager) Holznagel. He was raised on the family farm nine miles west of Washburn. He graduated from Washburn High School in 1972. He attended college at North Dakota State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1976. For a brief time, he taught vocational agriculture at Fargo North High School, and then went on to become the Sheridan County Extension Agent in McClusky, N.D. In 1979, he began a career at Coal Creek Station near Underwood, N.D., as an operator and chemical analysis technician. He retired from Coal Creek Station in 2017.

While in college, he met, fell in love with, and married Joan Huffman of Minnewaukan, N.D. They were married on June 5, 1976, and moved to Washburn in 1979, where they raised a family of four children. He considered being a father the greatest joy of his life and was immeasurably proud of all his children and grandchildren.

Laren served in many leadership positions at the Mission Free Evangelical Church in Wilton, N.D. During his life, he was a member a variety of groups, including Birka Lutheran Church and Luther League, North Dakota FFA State Farmer, NDSU Collegiate FFA, Alpha Zeta Honorary Agricultural Fraternity, and the NDSU Farmhouse Fraternity. He also served as a 4-H Club Leader.

Laren enjoyed working on the farm, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, photography, playing music, singing, and visiting and reminiscing with family and friends. Above all, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. As a devout Christian, he was grateful for the saving grace of Jesus Christ and all the rich blessings God bestowed on his life.

Laren is survived by his wife, Joan Holznagel; his children, Lynell and Christopher Kruckeberg of Red Lodge, MT; Jared and Jennifer Holznagel of Washburn, ND; Erin Holznagel of Washburn, ND; Jed Holznagel and Jada Shoemaker of Washburn, ND; and his 12 grandchildren, Noah, Aubrey, Cora, Delyla, Kipp, Emmet, Louis, Ivan, Roy, Sydney, Ryder, and Colt. He is also survived by his mother, Lola Holznagel; his siblings, Julie and Lowell Rader, Roger and Darlene Holznagel, and Milo Holznagel; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Laren was preceded in death by his son, John LeRoy Holznagel; his father, Milton L. Holznagel; and several unborn grandchildren.