Kurt Nevenner Holbrook

Kurt was born March 2, 1962 in Frankfurt, Germany while his parents, Brigham “Bim” and Betty were working for the U.S. State Department/Foreign Service living behind the Iron Curtain in Warsaw. They flew to the U.S. Base in Frankfurt to have their 5th baby. The German name Kurt seemed to fit him perfectly.

A two-week-old Kurt arrived in Warsaw much to the delight of his four siblings. Shortly after, his dad was reassigned to build the new American Embassy in Buenos Aires. The family stayed in Argentina for about 18 months, saying goodbye by taking the S.S. Argentina from Buenos Aires, making several stops on the way including Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, and San Juan before arriving in the New York harbor, then to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the family would settle down.

Kurt went to grade school at Wasatch Elementary, Bryant Junior High, and East High School, where he graduated in Class of 1980. From there, he went on to the University of Utah, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. First working at Benihana, Kurt then put himself through college by waiting tables at the Red Flame Restaurant in Bountiful, Utah, where several of his siblings also worked. He was well-liked and patrons of the Supper Club remember him well.

Kurt loved sports, and played basketball for East High School. His love of sports continued to grow as he followed U Football and basketball through the years as well as the Utah Jazz. He loved the outdoors, spending several summers in the high Uintahs at the Ledgefork Campground in an RV with his family. This passion led him to become an Eagle Scout, being the fourth brother to achieve that goal. Kurt loved the Boy Scouts and served administratively in the Order of the Arrow and was twice section chief. He attended both national and world jamborees as a scout, as well as three other jamborees as a staff member.

Kurt faithfully served a successful LDS mission to Minnesota (1981-83). He married the love of his life, Lexie Krogman, from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada on August 31st, 1989 in the Salt Lake Temple, having a happy marriage. They were blessed with one son, Hayden Kurt Holbrook. Kurt stressed to Hayden recently that his married life was a veritable love story.

Work life was varied and colorful. Kurt began his career at NCR, and his varied interests led to work later in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. His passion later became owning and managing several apartment buildings in Salt Lake and Lehi.

He will be remembered for being a kind, peaceful, sensitive, and loving person with a great sense of humor. Kurt loved all animals and had a special affinity for Abyssinian cats, having owned more than a dozen throughout the years.

Inspired by his upbringing, Kurt loved to travel and did so frequently. As a result, Kurt took numerous trips both domestically and internationally. His many road trips with Lexie and Hayden confirmed he was a driving machine. His favorite trip of many was to Italy in 2007 with his family.

Being the youngest of 5, Kurt had a few different nicknames growing up. “Kurchen Little-Bit” was an early name, then he was nick-named “Mini-Ven” and was greatly saddened by the accidental death of his oldest brother, Ven, in 1996. In later years, he was known affectionately as “Kurtchie” by Lexie and Hayden.

Our youngest sibling, dearest husband and father passed away on November 19, 2022 at his home in Draper, after a brave battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), leaving behind his devoted wife, Lexie, who stayed constantly by his side to care for him. Kurt was predeceased by his father B.G. “Bim” Holbrook; his mother Betty Holbrook Johns; and his brother Brigham “Ven” Holbrook. He is survived by his wife Lexie Holbrook; his son Hayden Holbrook (Emily); his sister-in-law Susan Holbrook (Ven); his brother West Holbrook; his brother Bard Holbrook (Amy); and his sister Tracy Bigelow (Richard). Kurt is also survived by brothers-in-law Lorne (Gerdy) and Bart (Doreen) Krogman. He also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. No service will be held, pending a small gathering of close family, per Kurt’s request.

Lexie would like to thank Kurt’s friend, Richard Rowland, for his many thoughtful gestures. Also thanks to Hospice at CNS for their kindness, especially Janessa, and John, who pointed out that the Navajo language has no word for goodbye. So no goodbyes, Kurt, just continue on with your journey, and we will meet again.