Monday, October 17, 2022 9:29 pm
Rose Mary Holland, age 93 of Decorah, passed away Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Barthell Eastern Star Nursing Home in Decorah.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Donald Hertges officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, at the Helms Funeral Home, 604 South Ave in Decorah and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Benedict Catholic School or the American Cancer Society.
Rose Mary, the daughter of William and Margaret (Alm) Rodenkirk, was born in Decorah on June 19, 1929. She attended St. Benedict School and Decorah High School. She married Harold Holland on Feb. 16, 1952, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah. They were married 51 years until Harold’s death in 2003. The couple had three children. Rose Mary loved to spend time with her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and volunteer. When her children were in school, she could always be counted on for a quick “yes” when there was a need for a field trip driver, classroom helper, or treats for a celebration. She served as a leader for many years for Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.
When her children were out of school, Rose Mary decided to go back to school herself to become a beautician. Although she hadn’t been a student for many years and her classmates were much younger, Rose Mary was determined to achieve her goal. After graduating from Northeast Iowa Technical Institute, she worked as a beautician at Ann’s Beauty Shop for several years. Rose Mary was a lifelong member of St. Benedict Catholic Church, where she was a member and past president of the Rosary Society, and a member of St. Theresa Circle and Catholic Daughters of America.Rose Mary was a wonderful cook. Over the years, family and friends shared many tasty meals and much laughter at the Holland home on Pleasant Hill Drive. Rose Mary also enjoyed gardening, canning her produce, playing cards, and traveling. Rose Mary was a longtime member of Silvercrest Country Club and a member of Oneota Country Club for several years. She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi social sorority.
Rose Mary is survived by her children. Jeff (Krista) Holland of Decorah, Mary (David) Bell of Bradenton Beach, Fla. and David Holland of Redwing, Minn. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and their children: Damon (Elizabeth) Holland and sons Keaton, Sullivan and Lewis, Justin (Rachel) Holland, their children Nora and Finn, James Holland, Benjamin (Anne) Holland and daughter Emilia Rose, Jon Holland, Mitchell (Darrah) Holland, their children Kaeding and Ivie, Katherine Rose Bell and Jay (fiancé Maria) Bell. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Marilyn Holland of Decorah and Charlotte Rodenkirk of Cedar Rapids, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Rose Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold, her brother Don Rodenkirk and his wife Ellen, brother Ted Rodenkirk, sister Hazel Baxter and her husband Bill, sister-in-law Madonna Bolstad and husband Jim, brother-in-law Frank and his wife Vicki, and brothers-in-law Fred and Paul Holland.
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