Emma Margaret Holly, 79, Bismarck, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on March 2, 2012, after a short battle with Leukemia. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Rick Fossum officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Em was born Oct. 5, 1932, to Roy and Helene (Freeman) Maine in Valley City. She was the second youngest of 10 children, and always considered the quiet one. Even at the many family reunions held over the years, when the sisters would get a whirlwind conversation going (enter at your own risk!), Mom was happiest sitting back and listening to the stories, tales, and teasing going on around her. That's not to mean she couldn't hold her own. All of a sudden she'd let loose a zinger that left everyone speechless!
Em grew up in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School. Following graduation, she worked for the bank, when one evening out with friends at The Clock, she met her future husband. Of course, he was smitten!
Em married E. Duane Holly on May 3,1953, at Epworth Methodist Church in Valley City. They moved to Wallhalla for a short period of time where Duane taught high school, and then to Hettinger where he also taught high school and coached basketball and football. There she gave birth to two children, Dave in 1956, and Deb in 1960. A few months later, the little family settled in Bismarck and grew to seven — Mike was born in 1963, Suzi in 1965, and Jeff in 1971.
For several years Em taught Sunday School, helped with Confirmation classes, and organized the acolytes for church services all at McCabe. She was a Den Mother and Pack Master, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a favorite baby sitter for the Abused Adult Resource Center, where she took toys and books for the children. She also helped with the Roosevelt Elementary School early morning reading program until it became too difficult to walk across the street to the school. Em and Duane coordinated Midget Football in Bismarck for roughly 20 years, where she was in charge of everything administrative. She worked the hardest trying to get every boy who wanted to play on a team.
Em also spent many years working with the Missouri Valley Historical Society's historic town, Buckstop Junction. She was at the forefront of several very successful Corn Feeds at the Junction over the years.
Mom had an earnest, but quiet faith. She may not have talked about it much, but she lived it every day of her life. Everyone who knew her could feel the gentleness of her spirit. It was not unusual for strangers to open up to her in line at the supermarket or anywhere she was volunteering.
It's clear that Mom's heart was always wrapped up in children, and no one could come any closer than every one of her nine grandchildren. She demonstrated an unconditional love and fierce loyalty to each one. She would correct them when they were wrong, but then stick up for them to the parent! Her favorite line was "If I'd known how much fun Grandkids would be, I would have had them first."
Mom's life will be celebrated and her legacy carried on by Duane, her loving husband of 58 years; her sons, Dave (Karen), Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Mike (Michelle) and Jeff, all of Bismarck; and her daughters, Deb (Troy) Sheldon, Alexandria, Ky., and Suzi (fiance, Thadd Franklin, and his son, Evan), Cheyenne, Wyo. Always in her heart will be her grandkids, Randi Erickson, Jade Sheldon, Samantha and Rebecca Holly, Emma and Rachel Holly, Anthony, Nicholas, and Kaine Holly. Also remembering Em are her sisters, Reefa Dahl, Pasco, Wash., and Nancy (Chuck) McIlwain, Spring City, Tenn.; her brother, Warren Griffin, Valley City; and so many nieces and nephews who she loved so much.
Em was preceded in death by her parents; six of her sisters; and her granddaughter, Randi. (Bismarck Funeral Home)
Em was born Oct. 5, 1932, to Roy and Helene (Freeman) Maine in Valley City. She was the second youngest of 10 children, and always considered the quiet one. Even at the many family reunions held over the years, when the sisters would get a whirlwind conversation going (enter at your own risk!), Mom was happiest sitting back and listening to the stories, tales, and teasing going on around her. That's not to mean she couldn't hold her own. All of a sudden she'd let loose a zinger that left everyone speechless!
Em grew up in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School. Following graduation, she worked for the bank, when one evening out with friends at The Clock, she met her future husband. Of course, he was smitten!
Em married E. Duane Holly on May 3,1953, at Epworth Methodist Church in Valley City. They moved to Wallhalla for a short period of time where Duane taught high school, and then to Hettinger where he also taught high school and coached basketball and football. There she gave birth to two children, Dave in 1956, and Deb in 1960. A few months later, the little family settled in Bismarck and grew to seven — Mike was born in 1963, Suzi in 1965, and Jeff in 1971.
For several years Em taught Sunday School, helped with Confirmation classes, and organized the acolytes for church services all at McCabe. She was a Den Mother and Pack Master, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a favorite baby sitter for the Abused Adult Resource Center, where she took toys and books for the children. She also helped with the Roosevelt Elementary School early morning reading program until it became too difficult to walk across the street to the school. Em and Duane coordinated Midget Football in Bismarck for roughly 20 years, where she was in charge of everything administrative. She worked the hardest trying to get every boy who wanted to play on a team.
Em also spent many years working with the Missouri Valley Historical Society's historic town, Buckstop Junction. She was at the forefront of several very successful Corn Feeds at the Junction over the years.
Mom had an earnest, but quiet faith. She may not have talked about it much, but she lived it every day of her life. Everyone who knew her could feel the gentleness of her spirit. It was not unusual for strangers to open up to her in line at the supermarket or anywhere she was volunteering.
It's clear that Mom's heart was always wrapped up in children, and no one could come any closer than every one of her nine grandchildren. She demonstrated an unconditional love and fierce loyalty to each one. She would correct them when they were wrong, but then stick up for them to the parent! Her favorite line was "If I'd known how much fun Grandkids would be, I would have had them first."
Mom's life will be celebrated and her legacy carried on by Duane, her loving husband of 58 years; her sons, Dave (Karen), Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Mike (Michelle) and Jeff, all of Bismarck; and her daughters, Deb (Troy) Sheldon, Alexandria, Ky., and Suzi (fiance, Thadd Franklin, and his son, Evan), Cheyenne, Wyo. Always in her heart will be her grandkids, Randi Erickson, Jade Sheldon, Samantha and Rebecca Holly, Emma and Rachel Holly, Anthony, Nicholas, and Kaine Holly. Also remembering Em are her sisters, Reefa Dahl, Pasco, Wash., and Nancy (Chuck) McIlwain, Spring City, Tenn.; her brother, Warren Griffin, Valley City; and so many nieces and nephews who she loved so much.
Em was preceded in death by her parents; six of her sisters; and her granddaughter, Randi. (Bismarck Funeral Home)
Emma Margaret Holly, 79, Bismarck, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on March 2, 2012, after a short battle with Leukemia. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, at McCabe United Methodist Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Rick Fossum officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.
Em was born Oct. 5, 1932, to Roy and Helene (Freeman) Maine in Valley City. She was the second youngest of 10 children, and always considered the quiet one. Even at the many family reunions held over the years, when the sisters would get a whirlwind conversation going (enter at your own risk!), Mom was happiest sitting back and listening to the stories, tales, and teasing going on around her. That's not to mean she couldn't hold her own. All of a sudden she'd let loose a zinger that left everyone speechless!
Em grew up in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School. Following graduation, she worked for the bank, when one evening out with friends at The Clock, she met her future husband. Of course, he was smitten!
Em married E. Duane Holly on May 3,1953, at Epworth Methodist Church in Valley City. They moved to Wallhalla for a short period of time where Duane taught high school, and then to Hettinger where he also taught high school and coached basketball and football. There she gave birth to two children, Dave in 1956, and Deb in 1960. A few months later, the little family settled in Bismarck and grew to seven — Mike was born in 1963, Suzi in 1965, and Jeff in 1971.
For several years Em taught Sunday School, helped with Confirmation classes, and organized the acolytes for church services all at McCabe. She was a Den Mother and Pack Master, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a favorite baby sitter for the Abused Adult Resource Center, where she took toys and books for the children. She also helped with the Roosevelt Elementary School early morning reading program until it became too difficult to walk across the street to the school. Em and Duane coordinated Midget Football in Bismarck for roughly 20 years, where she was in charge of everything administrative. She worked the hardest trying to get every boy who wanted to play on a team.
Em also spent many years working with the Missouri Valley Historical Society's historic town, Buckstop Junction. She was at the forefront of several very successful Corn Feeds at the Junction over the years.
Mom had an earnest, but quiet faith. She may not have talked about it much, but she lived it every day of her life. Everyone who knew her could feel the gentleness of her spirit. It was not unusual for strangers to open up to her in line at the supermarket or anywhere she was volunteering.
It's clear that Mom's heart was always wrapped up in children, and no one could come any closer than every one of her nine grandchildren. She demonstrated an unconditional love and fierce loyalty to each one. She would correct them when they were wrong, but then stick up for them to the parent! Her favorite line was "If I'd known how much fun Grandkids would be, I would have had them first."
Mom's life will be celebrated and her legacy carried on by Duane, her loving husband of 58 years; her sons, Dave (Karen), Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Mike (Michelle) and Jeff, all of Bismarck; and her daughters, Deb (Troy) Sheldon, Alexandria, Ky., and Suzi (fiance, Thadd Franklin, and his son, Evan), Cheyenne, Wyo. Always in her heart will be her grandkids, Randi Erickson, Jade Sheldon, Samantha and Rebecca Holly, Emma and Rachel Holly, Anthony, Nicholas, and Kaine Holly. Also remembering Em are her sisters, Reefa Dahl, Pasco, Wash., and Nancy (Chuck) McIlwain, Spring City, Tenn.; her brother, Warren Griffin, Valley City; and so many nieces and nephews who she loved so much.
Em was preceded in death by her parents; six of her sisters; and her granddaughter, Randi. (Bismarck Funeral Home)
Em was born Oct. 5, 1932, to Roy and Helene (Freeman) Maine in Valley City. She was the second youngest of 10 children, and always considered the quiet one. Even at the many family reunions held over the years, when the sisters would get a whirlwind conversation going (enter at your own risk!), Mom was happiest sitting back and listening to the stories, tales, and teasing going on around her. That's not to mean she couldn't hold her own. All of a sudden she'd let loose a zinger that left everyone speechless!
Em grew up in Valley City and graduated from Valley City High School. Following graduation, she worked for the bank, when one evening out with friends at The Clock, she met her future husband. Of course, he was smitten!
Em married E. Duane Holly on May 3,1953, at Epworth Methodist Church in Valley City. They moved to Wallhalla for a short period of time where Duane taught high school, and then to Hettinger where he also taught high school and coached basketball and football. There she gave birth to two children, Dave in 1956, and Deb in 1960. A few months later, the little family settled in Bismarck and grew to seven — Mike was born in 1963, Suzi in 1965, and Jeff in 1971.
For several years Em taught Sunday School, helped with Confirmation classes, and organized the acolytes for church services all at McCabe. She was a Den Mother and Pack Master, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was a favorite baby sitter for the Abused Adult Resource Center, where she took toys and books for the children. She also helped with the Roosevelt Elementary School early morning reading program until it became too difficult to walk across the street to the school. Em and Duane coordinated Midget Football in Bismarck for roughly 20 years, where she was in charge of everything administrative. She worked the hardest trying to get every boy who wanted to play on a team.
Em also spent many years working with the Missouri Valley Historical Society's historic town, Buckstop Junction. She was at the forefront of several very successful Corn Feeds at the Junction over the years.
Mom had an earnest, but quiet faith. She may not have talked about it much, but she lived it every day of her life. Everyone who knew her could feel the gentleness of her spirit. It was not unusual for strangers to open up to her in line at the supermarket or anywhere she was volunteering.
It's clear that Mom's heart was always wrapped up in children, and no one could come any closer than every one of her nine grandchildren. She demonstrated an unconditional love and fierce loyalty to each one. She would correct them when they were wrong, but then stick up for them to the parent! Her favorite line was "If I'd known how much fun Grandkids would be, I would have had them first."
Mom's life will be celebrated and her legacy carried on by Duane, her loving husband of 58 years; her sons, Dave (Karen), Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Mike (Michelle) and Jeff, all of Bismarck; and her daughters, Deb (Troy) Sheldon, Alexandria, Ky., and Suzi (fiance, Thadd Franklin, and his son, Evan), Cheyenne, Wyo. Always in her heart will be her grandkids, Randi Erickson, Jade Sheldon, Samantha and Rebecca Holly, Emma and Rachel Holly, Anthony, Nicholas, and Kaine Holly. Also remembering Em are her sisters, Reefa Dahl, Pasco, Wash., and Nancy (Chuck) McIlwain, Spring City, Tenn.; her brother, Warren Griffin, Valley City; and so many nieces and nephews who she loved so much.
Em was preceded in death by her parents; six of her sisters; and her granddaughter, Randi. (Bismarck Funeral Home)
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