Bertha E. Holderness, 103

Published 11:15 am Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Bertha E. Holderness, 103, of Austin, Minn., died Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Bertha Holderness

Bertha was born in Wadena, Minn., on Dec. 31, 1910 to Harry and Emma (Lenz) Thomson. She married Leonard Holderness on April 27, 1932, in Frazee, Minn. She cleaned houses for many years, was a patient sitter at the hospital and worked for several years at Hormel. In her spare time, Bertha enjoyed camping, fishing, collecting seashells and making crafts. Bertha especially enjoyed taking trips to Florida.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Janice Boeke; son, Eugene Holderness; husband, Leonard; and five brothers.

Bertha is survived by her daughters: Darlene (Dennis) Kolb, of Austin; Linda Olson, of Stacy, Minn.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 12 step-great-grandchildren; and one step great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law: Venetta Thomson, of Motley, Minn.; many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Glenn Monson officiating. Interment will be in Grandview Cemetery.  Visitation will be at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and at the church for one hour before the service on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Relay for Life or the American Heart Association.