Date of Birth:
Monday, October 25, 1926
Date of Death:
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Age:
89 years old

Willard C. Holm

Willard C. Holm, age 89, passed away on Sunday, November 15th, 2015 at his home in Goodhue, MN.

The Funeral Mass for Willard will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Goodhue with Rev. Randal Kasel Officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday evening, November 18th, 2015 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and one hour prior to the Mass on Thursday. Burial will in the St. Columbkill Cemetery, Belle Creek Township, Goodhue County. Military honors will be provided by the Bellechester American Legion Post 598.

Willard Carl Holm was born on October 25, 1926 in Goodhue Township, Goodhue County, to Lars and Margaret (Luhman) Holm. On April 19, 1946, he enlisted in the US Army and served with the 49th Ordinance Medium Maintenance Company stationed in Sendai, Japan. While there, he held the rank of Sergeant, and was Lead Forman in charge of fifteen mechanics in the overhaul and repair of all GMC equipment for Northern Honshu. He was honorably discharged on September 19, 1947.  On November 15, 1947, he married Roberta Ann Gadient at St. Columbkill Catholic Church in Belle Creek Township, Goodhue Co. The couple resided in the town of Goodhue, where “Willie” used his sharp mechanical and business skills to start, own, and operate what would become Holm Bros. Construction Company (1953-2010). Willard started the business with his brother, Wilfred “Bob”; later in partnership with his sons Alan and then Willy.  The business began with a single piece of road equipment and grew to build over 700 miles of roads in 13 counties within Minnesota, including the construction of Hwy 58 from Goodhue through Hay Creek, MN and the construction of Hwy 52 from Fountain, MN through Preston, MN.  Holm Bros. Construction played a part in many other local and civic volunteer projects that benefited the Goodhue area.

Willie was a member of the American Legion, the VFW, a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, the Goodhue Fire Dept., a Charter Member of the Goodhue Lions Club, and was a Lifetime Member of the Minnesota Contractor and Engineers Society.

Willie especially enjoyed being a season ticket holder for both the MN Twins and Vikings. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing and playing Gin.

Willie is survived by his twelve children: Alan A. (Catherine) of Goodhue; Ann (Ned) Lance of Rochester; Grace (John) Louks of Hudson, WI; Karen (Bruce) Albers of Goodhue; Barbara (Larry) Lexvold of Goodhue;  Susan (Tim) Macken of Rochester; Therese Holm (Ed Lee) of New York, NY;  Julie (Lee) Thompson of Red Wing; Willard (Natalia) Holm Jr of Zumbrota;  Sheila (Steve) Dicke of St. Paul;  David (Jodi) Holm of Hudson, WI; Roberta (Tim) Hazelroth of Lake Elmo; his brother Wilfred “Bob” Holm of Red Wing; his special companion Patricia Rusch of Red Wing; 46 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Roberta (2006), his sister Mildred Deden and his brother Walter Holm.

Memorials are preferred to Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Goodhue and the Goodhue Historical Society.

Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements and online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com