Muriel L. Holm

Muriel Murl Holm lived a life that saw many changes in the world, but through them all she remained a woman with a strong sense of family, a deep faith in God and a joy for life itself. She enjoyed the comforts of a simple and honest lifestyle and didnt need thousands of flashy distractions in her life. Family was the greatest source of happiness in her life and Murl loved spending her time being a wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life immeasurable joy. The year 1919 is often remembered as an important year because it was the year in which the Treaty of Versailles was signed, which officially ended World War I. It was also a significant year in the family of Alan and Bessie (Warwick) Fox of Ravenna, Michigan as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Muriel, on August 20, 1919. Murl, as she was called, grew up in a large, close-knit family; she was the second oldest of eleven children with three brothers: Norman, Darrel and Harold, and seven sisters: Norma, Hazel, Doris, Lillian, Gloria, Shirley and Thelma. While her mother had her hands full raising eleven children at home, her father supported their family working as a lumberjack/woodsman. Murl was very young when her family moved to Jackson Hill. They lived near the Muskegon River, which was where the Fox children spent much of their leisure time, swimming and catching snakes and turtles. Murl and her sisters were always close and cared for one another throughout their lives, though she and her sister, Thelma, were even closer yet. However, Murl liked to play games with her brothers, particularly baseball. It was said that she had quite an arm on her and could throw better than most boys. In fact, Murl was asked to move to Chicago in her teen years to play semi-pro baseball. Like many young girls of the time, Murl attended school through the 8th grade, and then was told it was time for her to get a job. At 15, she became the caretaker for a physicians private home. Eventually, Murls family moved to Dalton Township, and one of her favorite activities in town was going to the dance hall with her sisters. One night, while attending a dance at the Dalton Grange Hall, Murl caught the eye of a young man named Harry Holm; she had met her water Loo. He began to speak to her and with that, their love story had begun. After the dance, Harry bought Murl an orange soda with his last dime. You could say that Fox found a Holm. The couple dated for a year and a half before they were happily married on November 28, 1942, at the Samuel Lutheran Church. Funny, Harry remembers that their wedding cost $15, which was a lot of money in those days. After saying I do, the newlyweds headed off for a romantic honeymoon in Manistee, though they could only stay for 2 days because of the gas rationing. Murl and Harry settled into married life together in a home in the Duck Lake area. Soon after, they bought the property next door and built a new house on it for their future family. Up until this time, Harry was working at the George Morrell Factory, and was soon able to get Murl a job here too. As a happy, young couple, Murl and Harry enjoyed going out dancing, playing cards, like cribbage and pinochle, and camping in both a tent and cabin. One of their favorite pastimes was taking leisure drives in their 1936 Ford around Lake Michigan. After some time, Murl and Harry filled their hearts and home with the joy and laughter of four wonderful children: Stephen (1949), Marva (1952), Carol (1954) and Ken (1957). While Murl stayed home to devote herself to being a mom, Harry changed careers paths and went to work at Muskegon Tool and Die. Time together as a family was always important, and every year they took a trip over Harrys 2 week vacation from work. They would go to Detroit to catch a Tigers game or pack up on another adventurous camping trip. One year, they drove their 1959 Ford station wagon to Yellowstone National Park, where they camped in tents, and had to keep a close eye out for black bears. Later on, when their children were grown, Murl and Harry bought a motor home and traveled on their own to places like Nova Scotia, the east coast and Texas. In 1969, tragedy struck the family when their daughters, Marva and Carol, were in a terrible car accident and Carol did not survive. Family was always first in Murls heart. However, church was also very important to her, and she raised her children in the Samuel Lutheran Church. Murl was also active in the churchs Womens Club for many years. Traditionally, Murl did the girls nails before going to church every Sunday, and after service, there was a big family dinner in the dining room. Murl was a great cook and did a lot of baking of pies and bread, and canning. Murl especially loved the holidays and festively decorated her home accordingly. Although her children eventually all moved out, they didnt go far all lived within 7 miles of her home. This worked out perfect when she was blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren; they didnt have to go far to be spoiled. Besides caring for her family, Murl loved to tend to her garden; she truly loved flowers. After her daughter Carol died, Murl began going to yard sales, and collecting Depression glass. She and Harry continued to enjoy playing cards together, and with family and friends. In 1978, Murl began to suffer with severe arthritis. This disease ravished her body and eventually took her mobility and movement away. Murl couldnt even turn her body, so she had a hand held mirror she called her spy mirror to see what was going on behind her. During this time, Murl was gently cared for by her husband Harry. Then, in 2008, she went to live at Heartland Manor, where she could get the constant care she needed. Murl will be greatly missed and remembered always. Muriel Holm, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, after a courageous battle with arthritis. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Harry; sons, Stephen (Shari) Holm of Muskegon, Kenneth (Pam) Holm of Twin Lake; daughter, Marva Riggs of Muskegon; grandchildren: Amy, Erik, Sara, Jason, Jacob, Kevin, Amanda; 8 great grandchildren; sisters, Norma Krecl of IL, Hazel Driskill of TX. She was preceded in death by daughter, Carol; brothers, Norman "Sam", Darrel, Harold; sisters, Doris, Lillian, Gloria "Peachy", Shirley, Thelma; and son-in-law, Gary. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 29, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Samuel Lutheran Church with Marcia Miller officiating. Interment at Fruitland Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Samuel Lutheran Church. Please visit Murls personal memory page at www.clockfuneralhome.com where you may share a memory with her family and/or sign the online guest book. Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon