Lois Elaine Holmlund

The beautiful life story of Lois Elaine Holmlund (nee Miller) came to a peaceful ending in the arms of her beloved husband of 60 years Bruce, at her Fort Frances home on Sunday March 1st, 2015. The blessed firstborn child of Viola and Linus Miller, Lois entered this world on November 14th, 1933 in the Scandinavian community of Erickson, Manitoba. After graduating from Success Business College, Lois married the love of her life, Bruce on July 24th, 1954. After the birth of their first daughter Elaine in 1955, they moved to Fort Frances, Ontario where Lois and Bruce set their roots and continued growing their family with the births of Heather, Jeffrey and Shawna. Lois loved her home in Fort Frances and set forth building a life centered around her family, grand children, many dear friends and deep faith in the Zion Lutheran Church. Lois was a woman of incredible strength, determination and kindness enriching the lives of all she touched in life and as a committed volunteer. Her work in the Kinettes Club, March of Dimes, Arthritis Society, Canadian Foundation for Crohns and Colitis, Shriners Wives, LaVerendrye Hospital Auxiliary, Rainy Crest, and the Lutheran Church Womens League will be long remembered. Her coffee girls from the neighborhood, Kinettes and Safeway were a source of laughter and many wonderful stories. With Bruce by her side, Lois travelled the world adventuring through countries as far away as Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and many more, but she truly enjoyed her winters spent in Mesa, Arizona for many years. The cabin at Bears Pass was Lois’ haven with Bruce, and for fifty years she imparted her children and grandchildren with memories of fishing, gardening, berry picking, swimming and card games.

Her story lives on with her husband Bruce, and through her children and their partners; Elaine and John Garner, Heather and Tom Albani, Jeff and Penney Holmlund, and Shawna Holmlund, as well as 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grand daughter. Lois leaves behind her beloved brother Ron ( Sheila), in laws Mavis Johnson, Dennis and Cheryl Holmlund, Marlene and Calvin Allan and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dearest friends. She was pre-deceased by her parents Viola and Linus Miller and her great-grandson, Jayden.

Remembrances by way of a celebration of her life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Frances on Saturday, March 7th 2015 at 11am with Pastor Brian Keffer officiating. Upon her request her ashes will be interred in private at the family plot in Erickson, Manitoba at a later date. Donations may be directed, in Lois’ memory, to the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Fort Frances in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8.

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

David Harkins