Miles "Jon" J. Holets

Miles J. “Jon” Holets, 84, of Duluth, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Essentia Health, surrounded by family.

Jon was born February 4, 1942, in Duluth to Miles and Janet (Almer) Holets. He graduated from Toivola Meadowlands High School in 1960, attended Hibbing Junior College where he played football, obtained his bachelor’s degree at UMD, and later earned his master’s degree in education from UWS.

Education was never simply a career for Jon; it was a calling. He believed deeply that every child deserved the opportunity to receive the best education for their individual needs and abilities. Over the years, he taught in Solon Springs and Superior, served as principal in Ely and Biwabik, and later worked as principal and administrator in the Hermantown School District. He also worked for the Minnesota Department of Education. Following his retirement in 2001, Jon taught at the American School of Bangkok, Thailand for a short time.

Jon married Carol Polzin on July 21, 1979, at Zion Lutheran Church in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Together they built a life centered around family. The two loved to travel, visiting relatives across Europe, living and traveling in Asia, and building houses with Habitat for Humanity in Central America. Jon and Carol spent the last 15 winters in Green Valley, Arizona, and split their summers between their home in Hermantown, Minnesota, and their cabin in Spooner, Wisconsin.

Jon loved being around people and could strike up a conversation nearly anywhere. If there was someone he had not yet met, he probably intended to. He genuinely listened to others and felt especially drawn to spending time with elderly people. Whether delivering Meals on Wheels, volunteering with Fishing with Seniors on the St. Louis River, or simply stopping to talk, Jon believed people deserved connection and dignity.

He enjoyed fishing, although those close to him knew he may have loved eating fresh-caught walleye even more than catching it. He also enjoyed golfing, playing cribbage, hunting, and watching sports (especially UMD Bulldogs hockey, Arizona Wildcats basketball, and his grandchildren’s school sports). He had a green thumb when it came to raspberries and cucumbers, and he enjoyed making jewelry.

Jon loved learning and the pursuit of knowledge. He enjoyed a good discussion on almost any topic and had a calm, intelligent, and thoughtful way of arguing a point that often left others unexpectedly agreeing with him. He read frequently, especially history and historical fiction, and enthusiastically passed books along to others. He may have been best known for his quick wit and a great sense of humor that stayed with him throughout his life.

Jon was a longtime member of Grace Lutheran Church, a past HOA Chair and board member at Keene Creek Townhomes, and a semi-professional loon counter for the DNR.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Michael; and great-grandson, Sean.

Jon is survived by his wife, Carol; three children from his first marriage, Mark (Tina) of Hill City, MN, Patricia (Tim Stalboerger) Debeltz of San Marcos, TX, Julie (Ron) Mitchell of Cary, NC, he and Carol’s son Jonathan (Kaylyn) of Hermantown, MN; grandchildren Dana, Serena, Amber, Matthew, Amelia, Sydney, Taraji, and Tatiana; nine great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, Jon would have preferred a donation to Second Harvest Northland or Grace Lutheran Church.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 12, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5454 Miller Trunk Hwy. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5454 Miller Trunk Hwy, with Pastor Peter Schmidt officiating. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.