Park Committee & Bike/Ped Committee

This walking path is dedicated to Gordon and Pauline Van Dunk in appreciation for their vision to turn this sandy farm field into the beautiful community resource it is today.

Gordon and Pauline had deep roots here. They both grew up in the Holmen area. They met at Holmen High School, got married in 1953 and after serving 3 years in the U.S. Army they returned to the family farm on Long Coulee Road.

Gordon worked as a farmer and took great pride in taking good care of the land. He invested his time and effort to help grow our community. Gordon served 34 years on the Town of Holland Board before retiring as the Building Inspector in 2012. During his years on the Board the population in the Town of Holland more than doubled. His vision led to the decisions to buy the land and build our Town Hall facilities and these ball fields. His fingerprints are quite literally all over the Town of Holland we see today.

Pauline worked as a nurse at Gundersen Lutheran and then at the Onalaska Care Center. Taking care of others came naturally to her. Community service was important to her as well. Pauline was a founder of the Holmen Area Historical Society and along with Gordon, volunteered in many capacities over many years at Holmen Lutheran Church. Pauline’s passion was gardening. She loved taking care of her many plants at the family farm. And her legacy lives on-some of Pauline’s plants have found a new home here along the walking path for everyone to enjoy.

Pauline and Gordon have both passed away but the Van Dunk family is still a vital part of our growing community. Their son and grandson own and operate a popular local business-Rudy’s Feed and Seed on Main Street in Holmen.

The family asked us to keep this tribute simple. They are humble but happy to know Gordon and Pauline’s contributions to our Town are being remembered and honored by naming this the Van Dunk family walkway.

On behalf of the Town of Holland and our residents, thank you Van Dunk family for building and bettering our community.

       
Gordon & Pauline on their wedding day                   Van Dunks on holiday                                         West Glacier Park vacation