Marcella E. 'Sally' Holman, 84
Sally passed away peacefully on June 12, 2009, in Kalispell, at the age of 84. It was a beautiful day.
She leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Don Holman; two sons, John Agnew and Ted Agnew; three grandchildren, Keo Ross Slemberger, Daniel John Agnew and Montana James Agnew; daughter-in-law, Roz Agnew; and her two sisters, Margaret Howarth and Joanne Harrington.
Sally was born and raised in Napoleon, N.D. She was one of 11 siblings of the Leo and Stefina Hunkele family. Many fond memories were spawned in the kitchen of the Hunkele home after Sunday Mass, as all eight of the sisters crowded the family kitchen to compete and help contribute to the preparation of Sunday dinner.
On the day after graduation from Napoleon High School, Sally moved from Napoleon to seek a warmer life away from the harsh North Dakota winters. After two years working at a military arms factory during World War II in Detroit, she found her way to southern California where she started her lifelong career in bookkeeping, working for the Bank of America in Los Angeles. Sally's approach to any of life's challenges was always met with a smile. Her professionalism and dedication to "balance to the penny" was reflected in how she liked to organize her household - to the penny!
In 1961, she married Donald R. Holman at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, N.D. The family moved to Billings, where they resided full time until Sally retired in 1978. In retirement, Don and Sally traveled between their summer home in Billings, and their winter home in Mesa, Ariz., seeing most of the USA during their "North-South sojourns."
Sally was a member of the Red Hat Society, and was very dedicated to her prayer group. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, and playing cards with her husband Don and friends. Sally was also a very cute and energetic cheerleader for Don's softball team in Mesa! She loved her plantings (her roses even won first place at the fair), and a good conversation, but most of all she loved her three grandchildren, Keo, Dan and Montana James. Her family was always her priority and never a birthday or holiday was forgotten. Her famous phrase in every card was, "Sorry you have to do your own shopping!"
It was her wish to be laid to rest near her good friend of many years, Dolores M. Young. This past Memorial Day, Sally hand-delivered a sealed envelope to Dolores' grave. It was found by family the day Sally died. It read: "To let you know I'm thinking of you. 'Dear Dolores, pansies always stand for thoughts - at least that's what folks say, so this just comes to show my thoughts are there with you today. Love you, Don and Sally.'"
She will be remembered by everyone she met for her sense of humor and her beautiful smile. She truly touched us all and inspired all she knew and loved to make the most of life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Stefina Hunkele; sisters and brothers, Rose Wald, Joseph Hunkele, Katherine Hunkele, Maryhelen DeBeauclair, Regina Muller, Elizabeth McLean, John Hunkele and Benedict Hunkele.
There will be a rosary and visitation at 7 p.m. today, June 16, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Mass of The Resurrection will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell, with graveside services at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A reception at the church sponsored by Sally's prayer group and the St. Matthew's Altar Society will follow the graveside service.
Memorials may be made to the St. Matthew's Building Fund.