Nancy Sue Gale Burkholder Holman

Nancy and her siblings grew up in this home with wonderful parents that she adored. Nancy graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1959. She married Joe Burkholder in 1960 on New Year’s Eve. That night they drove to Logan, Utah where he attended USU. Together, Nancy and Joe had a son, Eric. They later divorced. Nancy later met and married Jerry Holman and in 1973 had a son, Bruce. A few years later, they welcomed two more daughters, Nichole and Suzanne.

Nancy’s life began and ended with her children. To say they were her world and reason for existing would be an understatement. Her children were her entire life.

Nancy worked in Grand Central’s main office during the 1970’s. She then was a stay at home mom while her children were young, and had an in-home daycare for 8 years. In the 1980’s she established a concessions committee at Tanner park and volunteered there for 5 years, at their little league baseball games. She worked in the “cage” at Franklin Quest in the 1990’s. Later she worked at Residential Living at the University of Utah during the 2002 Winter Olympic games, and retired from 5-West as a HUC from the University of Utah Hospital in her late 60’s.

Nancy was a wonderful cook and enjoyed any food from any culture. She was most famous for her homemade salsa. Her goal was to make it as hot as she could. She cooked and canned salsa until she was 80. Nancy also loved sharing her salsa. If you were ever given a jar, that meant you were very special to her. She loved finding new recipes and cooking them. She cooked and shared several family recipes passed down from many generations. She loved all holidays. Christmas was her absolute favorite. She always looked forward to when her family gathered to celebrate holidays and eat delicious homemade food. Many memories and traditions will be forever cherished, all because of her.

Nancy was an avid BYU Cougar football fan. She never missed watching a game. She got teased all of the time working at the University of Utah, especially supporting her cougars. She always said, “Utah fans are narrow minded, they think they are the only team in the state of Utah”. It never phased her though. She loved her BYU Cougars football.

Nancy is survived by her son Eric (Julie) Burkholder, Bruce Holman, Nichole H. Lorrigan-Sorensen (Ryun), Suzanne (Justin) Warner. 6 grandchildren: Mandie Burkholder, Forrest (Audrey) Lorrigan, Faith Sorensen, Easton Sorensen and Emalee Sorensen. She is also survived by her brother Edward (Sharon) Gale, sister, Susie DeVries and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Irv Bartels, grandson, Zach Parsons, brother-in-law, David DeVries, and mother and father, John and Margaret Gale.

Nancy passed away peacefully with her children by her side. Please join us in celebrating Nancy’s life as she graduates from this earth and is on to her next adventure. Two viewings will be held in honor of Nancy on Monday May 2, 2022 from 6pm-8pm, then the following day from 10am-10:45am. Funeral services will be Tuesday May 3, 2022 at 11am. All services will be at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary at 3401 S Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, Utah.

At Nancy’s request, instead of flowers, please give flowers to someone you love or donate them to a nursing home. Do something kind for someone. Also, donate blood and be an organ donor. It makes your heart happy.

As much as we will miss Nancy, we know she will always be with us and we will see her again someday. “Go BYU Cougars, I will be rooting from above."