Ann Rodel Holbrook

Ann Rodel Tkachenko was born on March 24, 1922, in her family’s home in Grassy Butte, North Dakota, the daughter of Mike and Rose (Sokirka) Tkachenko. She grew up on the ranch there with her parents, seven full siblings, and six half-brothers. She attended the country school in Little Knife Butte for her elementary years, and then completed her high school education at Killdeer High and Sheyenne River Academy, graduating in 1941.

Ann continued her education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and then at Hinsdale Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing in Illinois, graduating Valedictorian of her class in 1945. In 1946 she moved to California to continue her career as a nurse at the White Memorial Hospital. In California, her brother introduced her to a fellow Navy man, Ralph Thomas, Jr. They were married in 1948, and had two daughters, Sharon and Charlotte. They enjoyed their involvement with the Downey Seventh-day Adventist church community, often hosting social events. They divorced in 1970 and Ann focused on her career in occupational health. Over the years her work took her to Wake Island, and several corporations with bases in southern California, including Lever Brothers, Starkist, and Toyota. During these years she particularly enjoyed international travels and spending time with her daughters’ families and her relatives based in North Dakota. She retired at age 75, after 52 years of nursing.

Several years after reconnecting at a high school reunion, Ann and Delmer Holbrook, an old beau from Sheyenne River Academy, rekindled a relationship. On September 13, 1998, they were married in Long Beach and began a time of bi-coastal living, traveling, and enjoying retirement.

After achieving 92 years of age, Ann passed away at home in the morning on October 10, 2014. She is survived by her husband, Delmer, her daughters Sharon (Lowell) Ticer of Corona, CA, Charlotte (Randy) Penington of Redlands, CA, her grandchildren Elizabeth (Scott) Janoski of Corona, CA, Russell (Katie) Ticer of Bonaire, GA, Somer (Curtis) Knight of Redlands, CA, Kristin Penington of Redlands, CA, Megan Penington of Redlands, CA, and three great-grandchildren, Mia and Lane Janoski, and Theodore Knight. She is also survived by her brothers Lonny (Estelle) Tachenko, of Grassy Butte, ND, and Mike (Marvella) Tachenko of Avon Park, FL, along with sisters-in-law Alma Tachenko and Virginia Tachenko, both of Grassy Butte, ND. Her passing is also mourned by her step-sons Bob Holbrook of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Bill (Dominique) Holbrook of Burtonsville, MD, along with their children and grandchildren. She will be interred at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, California.87