Harry Holm

Over the course of a rich life that spanned nearly a century, Harry Oscar Holm came to personify the virtues of hard work, self-reliance, and devotion to family. He was a craftsman who enjoyed working with his hands, loved sports of all kinds, and was a man of strong opinions who was never afraid to speak his mind and who always stood by and supported his family in all their endeavors. These traits can be traced back to his childhood, where he learned the lessons he worked so hard to impart to his beloved children and grandchildren. The year 1918 began under a shadow of tragedy and uncertainty. The world was in the grip of a deadly flu outbreak and American troops were shipping out to the battlefields of France in ever increasing numbers. As the leaves began to turn, however, the end of World War I was in sight, and in Rockford, Illinois, Swen & Mary (Nelson) Holm welcomed the birth of their son, Harry, on September 21, 1918. Harry was the fifth of six children, and lived on a forty acre farm in Dalton Township just north of Muskegon with his parents, three sisters: Lillian, Margaret, and Helen, and two brothers: Clifford and Morris. When Harry was just four years old, his father died and his mother was left to raise all six children on her own, but the family pulled together and thrived. They grew crops and raised animals on the farm, and while their mother worked as a cook at Grossmans lunch counter in Muskegon, Harry and his brothers cut down trees to use for heating and cooking and sold some of the wood for additional income. While Harry was no stranger to hard work, he also loved sports. He was a diehard Detroit Tigers fan throughout his life. As a child, he would sneak a radio into his room at night so he could listen to the games and cherished his memory of the time he got to see Babe Ruth play in person. Harry wanted to play so badly that he chose to attend Montague schools because they had a better sports program even though it meant walking the ten miles to school or hitch-hiking rides. He played baseball in high school and was proud of his role on the committee that chose the Wildcats as the name of his high school mascot. In 1936, he graduated third in his class from Montague High School. Harry met the love of his life one evening at the Grange Hall in Dalton. Muriel Murl Fox was attending a dance at the hall with her sisters when she caught his eye and Harry told his buddies that he knew she was the girl for him. That night began a long courtship and despite his certainty, they dated for a year before he even kissed her! It all paid off when the two were married at Samuel Lutheran Church on November 28, 1942. In the early years of their marriage, the happy couple liked to go out dancing and bowling. They also enjoyed playing cards with friends (especially pinochle and cribbage). They were lifelong active members at Samuel Lutheran Church, and at home they were a perfect match: Murl was a good cook, and Harry liked to eat! Harry and Murl initially settled down in a small house they built near Duck Lake. In 1952, they decided to build a bigger home on the lot next door. Not one to take out loans or rely on others, Harry tried to pay for everything with cash, dug the basement by hand and built much of the house himself. Both Harry and Murl came from large families, and they remained close to both sides throughout their lives, attending many family reunions and holiday gatherings. Eventually, they began their own family, welcoming Stephen, Marva, Carol and Ken into their hearts and home. As their family grew, Murl stayed home to raise the children, while Harry worked as a tool and die maker for Muskegon Tool & Die. After twenty years, he took a position at Bennet Pump as a model builder where he remained until he retired after another twenty years in 1983. Every summer, the family packed up the car and a boat full of fishing gear during Harrys two weeks of vacation and traveled throughout Michigan. They also took camping trips out west to Yellowstone and the Badlands of South Dakota. Once the children were grown, Harry and Murl bought a motor home and traveled throughout the country. Harry also maintained his love of sports as an adult. He always kept his golf clubs and a set of horseshoes in his trunk, just in case . . . In their later years, Murl suffered from severe arthritis that cut down on their travelling quite a bit. By all accounts, Harry took wonderful, gentle care of her. It was a tough time when Murl passed in 2010 after 66 years of marriage, but Harry continued on with the loving help and support of the family he and Murl had begun so long ago. He continued to live on his own, in the house he had built with his own hands, for as long as he could. Harry leaves behind a legacy of strength and love, and he will never be forgotten. Mr. Harry O. Holm, age 96, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2015. He is survived by his sons, Stephen (Shari) Holm of Muskegon, Kenneth (Pamela) Holm of Twin Lake; daughter, Marva (Gary) Riggs of Muskegon; grandchildren, Amy Franks, Erik Holm, Jason Holm, Kevin Holm, Amanda Holm, Sara Parylak, Jacob Riggs; 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel in 2010, daughter Carol in 1969, son-in-law Gary Riggs in 2003 and siblings, Lillian, Clifford, Morris, Margaret & Helen. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Samuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Marcy Miller officiating. Interment will be in Fruitland Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Samuel Lutheran Church.