Luella Allen Holmes

Luella was born on June 23, 1936 to Robert and Martha Brady in Huntington, West Virginia. In 1973, she married the love of her life, Ronald Holmes, and he survives. They blended together their family with six children, and then added a seventh. They raised their family in Gretna. They have been long-time members of Standing Stone Church.

Luella worked for many years as an office manager at the Verne Schmidt Insurance Agency and before that at the Sun Newspapers of South Omaha.

Perhaps the greatest work of her heart was in advocating for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Greater Omaha community. Inspired by her beloved son, Gary, she was one of the founding members of ENCOR and The Red Hots of Sarpy County. These are organizations specifically designed to support special needs adults and their families. The model of compassionate care established by those founding parents of ENCOR over 50 years ago, including Luella, sought to help special needs adults find meaningful employment, independent housing, and to live happy, healthy lives as contributing members of the community. Luella’s impact in that work was profound and long-lasting.

She is survived by her husband, Ronald Holmes; also their children, Gary Zimmerman, Cheri Vampola, Mike (Cindy) Zimmerman, David (Susan) Holmes, Tina Zimmerman (Gregg Sucha), and Tim (Amy) Holmes. Grandchildren, Angie Vampola, Katie Sucha, Whitney (Clayton) McKee, Bailey (Cory) Conger, Brady (Tammi) Zimmerman, Deanna (Franco) Ribiero, Melody Gough, Travis Holmes, Maggie (Kris) Krueger, Hannah Sucha and DJ Meyers. They have multiple great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Martha Brady, and by her brother, Jack Brady, and her sister and brother-in-law, Marti and Dean Walker, and also by her son, Mark Zimmerman.

A private service for family and close friends only is being planned.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Hots of Sarpy County. The Red Hots of Sarpy County;13705 S. 18th St; Bellevue NE 68123

Or to Standing Stone Church; 321 S HWY 6; Gretna, NE 68028