Marvyl Holder entered this world March 14, 1929 at her grandparents’ farm in Edgington, Illinois. While growing up, she spent time at the farm with her grandparents and at home with her parents, Ben and Irma Rommel. Her younger brother, Stanley, entered the scene bringing with him a hilarious sense of humor which Marvyl appreciated – most of the time.
As a young woman, Marvyl had an adventurous spirit. She spent summers working in many places throughout the United States including the Boulder, Colorado area. In the fall of 1950, after she graduated from the University of Dubuque with a Bachelor Degree in Christian Education and Home Economics, she made the big move to Haines, Alaska for work. She explored the area with new friends and met the love of her life, Frank Holder.
She and Frank married in 1952. That summer they moved to Sitka, Alaska, living and working at Sheldon Jackson Junior College. Two years later, they returned to Haines – with their first child, Margaret. While living in Haines, two more children joined the family: Janet (who was born during a visit to Illinois) and Jim.
The next big adventure came in 1959 when the family moved to Boulder (after a few months’ stay in Illinois) inspired by Marvyl’s summer work week in the late 1940's at the Valmont Community Presbyterian Church in Boulder. The family first lived in a small farmhouse on Baseline Road. The following year, they moved to a trailer in the middle of an alfalfa field which was a glorious place for their growing children to explore. During that time one more child, Rose, was born.
In 1964, the family moved to a house on what eventually became Jay Road. During the busy adventure of raising children, Marvyl was active in 4-H, gardening, canning, sewing, cake decorating and Valmont Church. None of us will forget the wonderful scent of her bread fresh from the oven – and cookies! Her hand sewn quilts now grace many homes. Marvyl lived in that home for 50 years, including several years on her own after her husband’s death in 2000.
She traveled occasionally, continued gardening, cooking and baking, sewing, creating quilts, participating in the church she loved, and enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marvyl survived , thanks to her wonderful neighbors and a sheriff’s deputy who was nearby, an explosion and fire at her home in 2013. She continued to live on her own for a year in an apartment, showered with gifts for her new home and love from her many friends and her family. She then decided to move to assisted living in Longmont where she lived for several years, and then to The Green House Homes at Mirasol in Loveland.
Her family thanks the staff at Marisol for their kind care for Marvyl, their cheerfulness, and love for her. Marvyl’s family is also grateful to the wonderful people from Pathways Hospice who also cared for her during her final adventure - the quiet and gentle death she entered; and for the kindness they have shared with her family.
Above all, the memories of Marvyl, including her dedication to family, church, and friends, remain.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; her parents, Ben and Irma Rommel; and her brother, Stanley.
She is survived by her children: Margaret Furumo (Toren,) Janet Morrison (Colin,) Jim Holder (Sarah,) and Rose Harmos - Holder; six grandchildren: Leah Furumo, Jesse Furumo (Suramy,) David Holder (Sara,) Jennie Turcios, Irene Harmos (Toben,) and Bucky Harmos ; four great-grandchildren: Nakalia Furumo-Poston, Yazmeen Furumo-Poston, Evan Holder, and Kaylee Holder.
Her family suggests that, rather than sending flowers, those who wish may contribute in her memory to Pathways Hospice(for information, please go to: https://pathways-care.org or call 970-356-4090,) or to The Green House Homes at Mirasol (https://mirasolgreenhousehomes.org or call 970-342-2400.)
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