If we are lucky, we meet one person in our lifetime who has the
ability to transcend cultural and personal borders to do good.
Someone who participates in the community for the sole purpose of
helping others. In Hollister, Marley Holte was such a man.
If we are lucky, we meet one person in our lifetime who has the ability to transcend cultural and personal borders to do good. Someone who participates in the community for the sole purpose of helping others. In Hollister, Marley Holte was such a man.
Holte died Saturday at age 80. He will be mourned by many; his services next Wednesday will be attended by local citizens from a wide range of backgrounds. To say that Holte was an integral part of many local volunteer and nonprofit organizations would be an understatement. He and his family even started holiday dinners for those who might have gone without one.
But Holte’s ability to cross borders is perhaps exemplified by the fact that he once served as president of the San Benito County chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens. It wasn’t supposed to happen. Mickie Luna helped form the local LULAC chapter in 1987, and Holte joined in 1989.
Luna said she and Holte bonded immediately.
“We knew that working together, things could change,” she said.
She said Holte never missed meetings. He studied the issues. He was unbiased and supportive. He worked well with local youth.
“He always told them, ‘You can do it; don’t say you can’t'” said Luna, who has gone on to serve four terms as state LULAC president.
Holte, who also was a longtime member of the Mexican American Committee on Education (MACE), eventually was elected president of the county LULAC chapter. Luna said Holte told her he wanted to run for office, but didn’t tell her he wanted to serve as chapter president. He was voted in.
And Luna defended his being elected at the district and state level, enacting changes that ensured any qualified member, regardless of background, could serve such a position.
“I told them Marley is Norwegian-Latino,” she recalls.
Marley Holte had that effect on people and organizations. Luna said he simply “shared so much.” People in San Benito County can be proud that their own Norwegian-Latino resident served in an influential community organization. His like will not be found anytime soon.
Graveside services for Marley Holte are at 9:30am Sept. 27 at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hollister. Funeral services are at 11am Sept. 27 at First Presbytarian Church in Hollister.
