Thief River Falls – Colleen Holen, 90, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Minnesota Greenleaf with her loving family by her side.
Colleen LaVerne McEnelly was born September 2, 1930 in Thief River Falls, the daughter of Roy Albert and Edna Irene (Halvorson) McEnelly and was raised on a farm in Reiner Township, Pennington County. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended country school through the 8th grade.
On July 20, 1947 Colleen married Mayer Holen at the Rosendahl Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge. They bought a farm in Reiner Township where their seven children were born: LaVonne, Sandra, Michael, Gayle, Mavis, Loren and Mark. They operated a busy farm milking cows, raising pigs and sheep; and put-up hay and raised oats, barley and corn for the cattle. The house was always open to everyone and the coffee pot was always on. Colleen baked almost every day and the kids remember those wonderful smells when they got off the school bus. Their main entertainment was having card parties.
In 1985, they left the farm and moved to Thief River Falls where Colleen pursued her insurance career with AAL where she received several awards for her achievements. After retiring in 1996, Colleen went to work at Digi-Key. Colleen said, “I met so many wonderful people in whatever I did.”
On October 18, 1994 Colleen lost her loving husband and best friend unexpectedly.
Colleen is described as a good-hearted, generous, positive, loving woman. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren which were the joy of her life.
Survivors include her children, LaVonne Adams of Bemidji, Sandra (Richard) Johnson of Fosston, Michael (Julie) Holen of Park Rapids, Gayle (David) Dahlen of Goodridge, Mavis (Steve) Paulson of Bemidji, Loren (Dr. Jodi Bergland Holen) Holen of Richville, and Mark (Sheila) Holen of Middle River; grandchildren, Michelle (Michael) Curfman, Stacey (Joe) Shimanski, Trisha (Tanner) Jorud, Chase Holen, Chad (Heidi) Paulson, Heidi (Scott) Thompson, Ian Holen, Alec (Michaela) Holen, Dr. Barrett Holen, Tyler (Jenna) Holen, Kaley (Michael) Mattison, Madison (RJ) Cummings; 21 great-grandchildren so far; sisters, Delores Johnsrud and Sharon (Tim) Smith; sisters-in-law, Helen Holen and Norma Holen; and many other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Mayer; great-grandson, Arlo Holen; son-in-law, Darrell Adams; sister, Marlys (George) Parker; brothers-in-law, Robert Johnsrud, Harold (Luella) Holen, Selmer Holen, Andy (Rosanne) Holen; sister-in-law, Inga and Ole Sunsdahl.
The funeral service to celebrate Colleen’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Bethany Lutheran Church, rural Thief River Falls, with Rev. Kristin Ostercamp officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
A00003B2021JY28