When Kenneth Kosloski Sr. and his wife purchased their first home in Holt for $6,400 in December 1956, they couldn’t have known they were starting a family legacy that would span generations. That one-bedroom house, which they expanded three times over almost 50 years, became the foundation for their family’s deep roots in our community.
Kenneth’s journey to Holt began in nearby Maple Grove. One of eleven siblings positioned exactly in the middle, he grew up with enough family members to field their own baseball team. This family-first mindset carried through to his own children – two boys and two girls – all of whom attended Holt Public Schools from Midway Early Learning Center through high school graduation. “We enjoyed a huge family growing up,” says his daughter Joni, reflecting on their tight-knit extended family.
Family and sports have always been intertwined for Kenneth. He coached both sons in 5th and 6th grade basketball and baseball, leading successful teams that “won everything, practically.” He helped coach his daughters in girls’ softball, and when his children we grown he took up playing in a golf league nearby El Dorado during the 1980s.
Today, Kenneth’s family includes 7 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, with almost everyone living within 15 minutes of Holt and Dimondale. The family maintains strong traditions, including Christmas gatherings that once drew up to 80 relatives to the Presbyterian church. In recent years, they’ve started a new tradition of renting a large house in Saugatuck that accommodates upwards of 30 family members, creating fresh memories by the lakeshore.
Holt residents most likely know Kenneth Sr. as an accomplished bridge player who has achieved multiple life master rankings and played in national tournaments. He started playing on his lunch hour with colleagues in the Department of Transportation, where he worked for 37 years. As a young man, Kenneth worked two jobs for 16 years to provide for his family. Outside of that, bridge was his passion. “It’s what kept me active,” he says. “It’s a very difficult game and it’s what has kept me sharp.”
During the pandemic, Kenneth gave up bridge due to social distancing and took up completing massive puzzles. He shares his now over 60 completed works on Facebook for family and friends to enjoy.
When asked about his go-to spots in Dehli Township, Kenneth Sr. declined to pick a favorite. But he did say that he tries to shop Holt as often as he can. He’s always loved Chinese food and says he has eaten at nearby Ing-credible, “Probably a million times.”
“Since 1956, I’ve been really happy here. And I couldn’t be more happy,” Kenneth reflects on his life in Holt. After nearly seven decades in the community, his story represents a life rich in family, friendships, and community. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kenneth, you have helped to make Holt a special place for so many people.