Robert "Bob" V. Holmen

Robert V. Holmen, family patriarch, and lifelong resident of Upsala, MN, peacefully passed on September 19th, 2013, surrounded by family. This grand man rejoins his beloved wife Marlee, his parents Olga and Julius, and siblings Lloyd, Alverna, Don, Alton, and Ardyce. His spirit continues on through his 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren (and one on the way!). Bob lived 89 rich years. He was a farmboy, born October 28, 1923; and grew to be a rakishly handsome backwoods huntsman and trapper. He proudly served as a "Tin Can Sailor" in WWII, being present in Tokyo Harbor at the signing of the Peace Treaty. Back home in 1947, he married the love of his life, the stunningly beautiful and intelligent Marilyn O. Lofquist. He was a devoted son, husband, father, uncle, friend, neighbor, businessman, community leader, naturalist, jokester, and storyteller. He was a gutter-of-bear with a teeny pocket knife; an innovating Renaissance man; and a cunning card-player. He was a man of example, true to his word, a student of life. He was a hunting buddy, a traveler, a bird-watcher, a diligent letter-writer and a 70-year-old waterskiier. All told, he initiated hundreds in the joys of waterskiing on Cedar Lake! He was a great flirt, a hiker-of-mountains, a whisker rub giver, golfer and the best brother-in-law ever. He was a jogger before anyone knew why the hell anyone would run all over town; he had a booming and wholehearted laugh; he was a reader of Westerns. He was a 65-year member of American Legion Post 350 and charter member of the Upsala Lions Club. He was a slurper of his soup and mischievous finisher of all the leftover dessert; he ate and drank as he lived--with gusto! He was the heartbroken caretaker of Marlee at the end of her life, offering, at her deathbed, the meal blessing prayer "Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed". (So we sent him off with the same one.) Uffda. Many, many family and friends say goodbye to Bob and his exuberant life. Our lives have been amply blessed by his innumerable gifts to us! His legacy lives on in the flourishing families of: son, Robert W. "Obie" Holmen, wife Lynn; and Karin and fiancé Steve; Greta, Guni, Awashima; and Haldan; son, Michael D. Holmen, wife Kae; and Jillian, Scott, Jack, Henry; Kristoffer, Riley, Carter, Drew, Hayden, Blaise; Joshua and Ashley; daughter, Rebecca J. (Holmen) Helmeke, husband Ron; and Jeremy; Tamara; Kimberly, Ashley, Dylan; and Nicklas; daughter, Susan G. Holmen; sister, Irene B. (Holmen) Peterson; Lofquist sisters-in-law, Carole McDowell, Norma Bolstrom, Verna "Val" Klemish, and Janet York. All are welcome to celebrate Bob's wonderful life. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 23rd from 6-8 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, September 24th at 1:00 PM, with open doors at noon. Military honors will be conducted by the Upsala American Legion Post #350. Come with stories to tell! Both services will be hosted by Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Upsala with Pastor Trish Jorgenson officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be Jeremy Nilson, Jillian (Holmen) Nelson, Tamara Nilson, Karin (Holmen) Burke, Kristoffer Holmen, Kimberly (Nilson) Landry, Greta (Holmen) Andzenge, Nicklas Nilson, Joshua Holmen, and Haldan Holmen. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Robert "Bob" V. Holmen

October 28, 1923 - September 19, 2013