Elsie Marie Holland
Elsie Marie Holland
Elsie Marie Holland
March 9, 1925 – May 9, 2016
Montezuma, Iowa | Age 91
Elsie Holland, 91, of Montezuma went to be with her Lord and Savior Monday evening, May 9, 2016 at the Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Elsie Marie Holland, the youngest daughter of Rev. Arthur and Alice (Godfrey) Heacock, was born March 9, 1925 in Ackworth, Iowa.
Elsie graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1943. Following graduation, she worked at Northwest Bell Telephone company where she became supervisor of the telephone operators. On October 6, 1946, Elsie was united in marriage to Edward R. Holland in the Veterans Chapel of the Congregational Church in Newton. Following their marriage, they farmed in the Gibson, Webster and Thornburg communities where they raised three children, Connie Jo, Tom and Tim. In 1964, they purchased the Gamble Hardware Store in Keswick and in 1968 they purchased the Gamble Store in Montezuma. They were Gamble store dealers for 12 years before having to sell the store due to Edward’s health. Elsie then worked for Sig Manufacturing in Montezuma for 25 years, retiring in 2001.
Elsie enjoyed playing the organ or piano in various churches and for funerals of the communities in which they lived. She also sang in the church choirs, taught Sunday School and helped with vacation bible school. She was a charter member of the Community Hope Church in Montezuma and most recently she joined the Montezuma First Presbyterian Evangelical Church.
Elsie was a 50 plus year member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs; a 50 plus year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, having served as a District President in 1980-1981; a member of the Poweshiek County Genealogy and Historical Society, serving a term as treasurer and a board member for several years; a long time board member of the Montezuma Community Fund; a board member of the Resident Advocate Community of the Montezuma Nursing Home; and a charter member of the Piecemakers Quilt Guild.
Ed and Elsie loved to travel and visited almost every state, including Canada, Mexico and also taking a Caribbean Cruise. After Edward’s death in 1996, Elsie continued to travel to Houston each year to visit her son, Tom and family. She also was fortunate to take a 10-day missionary trip to the Philippines and her favorite trip to Israel, to walk where her Lord and Savior walked. She was an avid reader of non-fiction books and the Bible, reading through it many times. She made quilts and scrapbooks for her grandchildren and also enjoyed golfing, painting and cooking. She dearly loved her five grandchildren and attended all their school activities, dance recitals, piano recitals and weddings. Now her eight great grandchildren have found a warm spot in her heart.
Her memory will be cherished by her sons, Tom (& Peggy) Holland of Houston, Texas and Tim (& Beth) Holland of Montezuma; five grandchildren: Corey (& Michelle) Holland, Brent (& Natalie) Holland, Lindsey (& Shayne) Wilcox, Brian Holland and Megan Holland; her eight great grandchildren: Mason, Dylan, Camden, Taylor, Kohen, Madison, Gavin and Talen; and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward; her daughter, Connie Jo; and two sisters, Edith and Winifred.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Evangelical Church in Montezuma.
Burial will be held in the McFarland Cemetery in What Cheer.
Visitation will begin after 12:00 pm Friday, May 13, 2016 at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home with the family present from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Auxiliary or the Poweshiek County Historical Society.
