Patricia Fay "Patsy" Holsinger

BURLEY – On Friday, August 30, 2024, a star went out in the heavens. On that day Patricia F. Holsinger, known as Patsy to all of her friends, passed away. Patsy was deeply involved in the Burley community and especially in the First Presbyterian Church of Burley. She was a loving wife and mother, an avid reader, and a beloved friend. She was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on October 28, 1931 to Frank and Grace Houston and grew up on their farm about five miles southeast of Jerome. The land had been converted from sagebrush to farm not long before she was born, and the house was primitive. She took baths in a large tub in front of the wood-burning stove in the living room and used an outhouse until her parents installed indoor plumbing nine or ten years after she was born.

Patsy’s father often led her on a horse the two miles to Falls City Elementary School until she was old enough to ride there on her own. Later she went to school in Jerome, graduating from Jerome High School in 1949. She then enrolled in the College of Idaho, and by the end of her first year she was going steady with Eugene Holsinger. She graduated from the C of I in 1953, and moved to Portland, Oregon, where she was one of fourteen new teachers at Grant High School in the fall of 1953. She taught second- and third-year English in room 202. Grant High School was named “the best high school in America” the year after she arrived. That might be a coincidence.

It is not a coincidence that Gene moved to Portland in 1953 to attend medical school at the University of Oregon Health Sciences Center. But Gene and Patsy didn’t live together in Portland until after they married on August 15, 1954. Patsy continued teaching at Grant until she and Gene moved to Sacramento with their nine-month-old son Kent in the summer of 1957.

After Gene completed his residency in 1959, Patsy and Gene returned to Idaho and bought the house in Burley where they lived for the rest of their lives. Her second son, Kevin was born a little over a year after they arrived. In addition to raising two young sons, Patsy quickly became involved in the Burley community. She served on the Planning and Zoning Commission of Burley for eight years and on the Board of the Burley Public Library for three years. She also received a Certificate of Commendation from the Police Division of the City of Burley, and her lifelong passion for reading and reading education was recognized with a Tutor Certificate from the National Affiliation for Literacy Advance.

Patsy belonged to the First Presbyterian Church in Burley for 65 years. She was active in the church as a greeter and usher, freely offering her time, talents, and support. She was a member of Presbyterian Women, which met regularly for Bible Study and mission activities, and she was a faithful member of the Book Club which also met regularly to share reports on various books. Patsy baked cookies, helped in the kitchen, assisted with funeral dinners, and provided food on many occasions. She encouraged young people in many ways and was a leader in the Logos Program. She participated with the Scouting programs and was very proud when each son attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

Patsy always had time for her family. She took an active interest in her sons’ education, including close supervision to make sure that their homework was done and membership in the Dworshak School Parent Teachers Association. She accompanied Gene and the rest of the family on fishing and camping trips to Yellowstone and many other places, but she showed her independent, Houston streak when she did not always go with Gene when he fished Silver Creek and camped at the campground near the Hayspur Fish Hatchery. When Gene was fishing, she could often be found sitting near the stream reading a book or magazine. After Gene retired, she and Gene traveled to New Zealand for fishing and sightseeing, but when Gene went to Alaska fishing for salmon and halibut, Patsy showed her independent streak again. She went to California and Connecticut to visit her sons instead. Although she was independent, she also indulged her family’s interests. Gene, Kent, and Kevin all enjoyed cross-country skiing, and Patsy sometimes came along even though the natural outward angle of her feet meant that she could never go more than a couple of strides before pulling her skis back to center. Patsy enjoyed birdwatching with other members of the family, and she enjoyed sewing, reading, and watching TV (especially Gunsmoke and Lawrence Welk).

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; her parents; and brother, Bob. She is survived by her sister, Elaine Phillips of Sun Valley, Idaho; and her sons, Kent of Coventry, Connecticut and Kevin of Mountain View, California.

A memorial service for Patsy will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 28th, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2100 Burton Ave. in Burley, with Pastor John Ziulkowski officiating.