Emily Jo Holmes

Emily Jo Holmes went to heaven to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 13, 2025, just shy of her 44th birthday. She was at home with family in Idyllwild, Calif., after a battle with cancer.

Fearfully and wonderfully made, Emily was the firstborn daughter of Kelvin and Judy (Skogerbo) Mulholland, born on November 30, 1981, in Rochester, Minn. She was an exemplary big sister to her three siblings.

After graduating valedictorian with both her diploma from Elgin-Millville High School and an associate degree from Rochester Community and Technical College in 2000, Emily enrolled in Master’s Commission, a two-year discipleship program in Omaha, Neb. She then attended Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., and graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Emily had a heart for missions that took her around the world, traveling to Mexico, Guatemala, Romania, Denmark, Ireland and Scotland. She was happiest when she was giving to others and sharing the Word of God with them.

After graduating college, she returned to work at her family’s bookstore, Christian Book & Gift Shop in Rochester. She later worked as a branch office administrator at Edward Jones.

In 2016, Emily met the man she’d been waiting for her entire life, Michael Holmes. They were married in Rochester on June 17, 2017. On their honeymoon, they drove the 1300-mile Lake Superior Circle Tour, and began a grand adventure together, exploring national parks and taking epic road trips along the West Coast, to Florida, and Maine. They moved to Michael’s hometown of Idyllwild, Calif. in 2018, working local jobs and raising chickens in the mountains. Emily continuously pursued God, intellectually and spiritually, and took every opportunity to better know Him. Emily and Michael were grateful for their church family at Church Unlimited in Indio, Calif.

Emily was famous for her rolodex of recipes, throwing delightful tea parties, and baking Kringla for the family at Christmas. She loved classic movies, especially musicals. She enjoyed listening to live praise and worship. Forever creative and artistic, she loved to paint and shared her art with many people. She knitted hats, mittens, and blankets for family and friends. She took delight in being an aunt and loved crafting and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She had the best smile. You felt blessed to be a recipient of it.

Emily is survived by her husband, mother, and three siblings: Elena (Ryan) Meredith of Boulder, Colo.; Taylor (Carrie) Mulholland of Duluth, Minn.; and Sophia Gold of Rochester, Minn.; and by her six nieces and nephews: Dominic, Saylor Rose, Gwenivere, Claire, Calvin, and Margo.

Emily was preceded in death by her father and in-laws, Rick and Sue Holmes.

Emily will be laid to rest in San Jacinto Valley Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at Church Unlimited in Indio at 1pm on Saturday, November 22. A second Celebration of Life is planned for Friday, December 5, 4pm visitation, 5pm service, at Destiny Church (now known as Transformation City Church) in Rochester, Minn.

Condolences and memories of Emily Jo are welcome at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/miller-jones.