Elva Holm

BURLEY – Our beloved mom and grandma, Elva Ramola Guthrie Holm, passed into eternity Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at the Cassia Regional Medical Center in Burley, Idaho.

Elva was born on Jan. 31, 1921, in Burley, Idaho, to Earl and Ula Guthrie. Little did she know the exciting life that in store for her!

Growing up during the Great Depression, mom would face many challenges, but she never let these challenges crush her spirit. If anything, it instilled in her the grit and gumption which would earn her the nickname "Perky" from her sweetheart, Warren Holm, whom she married in June of 1939. Not ones to let any grass grow under their feet, Warren and Elva, along with their baby son Larry, packed up and moved to Oakland, Calif., in 1941. Over the years they moved several more times, before settling down in the Pella area to begin their farm in l961. They were home.

Mom discovered right away that being a farm wife was hard work! Though always busy fixing hot meals for her husband, weeding her garden, or keeping house, she always took the time to sit down and play a game of "Go Fish" with her grand kids. And no visit was ever complete at grandmas' without her serving up heaping bowls of vanilla ice cream!

Having been born with a green thumb, Elva loved to garden. Spring time meant buying up oodles of pansies and petunias and the newest rose variety that caught her eye. She loved to compete with her daughter-in-law to see whose garden would produce the first green tomato and later on spend hours canning the fruits of her garden, which she in turn would share with her family. In her later years when she was no longer able to garden, she still loved to take drives with her son and Lorraine to Fairfield where they would spend the day looking at the meadows of lupines.

One of the hidden talents that grandma had was that of embroidery and quilting. She passed many evenings decorating tea towels and pillow cases to give as gifts. And it's impossible to know just how many hours she spent on her hand made quilts. They are truly unique and are especially comforting to sleep under knowing they were made by her.

We can't forget mom and dad's fishing trips either. They spent many hours trying to out fish each other at Magic, Lake Cleveland and Fish Creek. Of course, Jackpot was another favorite destination. Try as they might, they could never outwit the slot machines, but they sure had fun trying! Pinochle, dancing at the Blue Room, and her fabulous holiday dinners are all special memories we have of this dear lady.

Surviving are her son, Larry Holm (Lorraine) of Rupert; three grandchildren, Mark (Linda) Holm of Rochester, Minn., Mike Holm of Burley, and Kristen (Calvin) Keck of Jerome. She also has seven great-grandchildren, Megan, Chad, Zoe, Robert, Selena, Courtney and Joy.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Warren; three brothers, Leonard, Oliver, and Dennis; and two sisters, Evelyn and Margaret.

Mom and grandma, your spunk and determination will always be admired. And though we're going to miss your presence, your spirit will always be a part of us, and you will forever remain in our hearts. We love you!!!!

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, at the Pleasant View Cemetery, 1645 E. 16th St., in Burley, with Bishop Rod Lake officiating.

Friends may call from 5 until 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home,1350 E. 16th St., in Burley.