Albert "Al" Holman Jr.

Albert as born in Brighton, CO, to Albert Sr. and Elizabeth (Kramer) Holman on October 10, 1925. He was the oldest of eight children. Albert married Lidwina (“Lid”) Dreher in Brighton, CO on April 20, 1948.

Albert was a devoted Husband and loving Father of five children who worked and lived a dairy farm life in the Kersey and Barnesville area from 1952 until 1969. He and Lid sold their dairy near Barnesville in 1969 after a severe hailstorm and Crow Creek flood decimated the farm and the dairy herd. They moved to Loveland, CO where Albert purchased a carpet business franchise and operated the successful company for several years. During the transition from farming to business ownership, he pursued a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. He owned and flew a Cessna aircraft for many years just for the joy of flying.

However, Albert’s greatest passion was music. He taught himself how to play the accordion by ear without ever reading musical notes. He formed his own band (“Al Holman and the Polkatoons”) with his son Dennis in 1967. For nearly 40 years, the band performed Dutch-hop music at major dance venues throughout the United States. In addition, the band did two tours in five European countries. The band recorded 13 record albums during their career. Albert had his own recording studio in Loveland and their music had wide distribution throughout the United States and Canada. The band retired in 2005.

Albert was a WWII veteran and served in the Navy aboard the LST-960 in the South Pacific. His children will remember him as an adventurous and creative man, a great father, and loving husband to Lidwina for 69 years. Lidwina passed in 2017. He loved family gatherings and events, camping and fishing, spending time with family and simply being a good father and husband. His grandchildren were special to him.

Albert is survived by his five children, Dennis (Carole) Holman of Greeley, Duane (Pegi) Holman of Eaton, Les (Pam) Holman of Jacksonville, FL, Ken (Jodi) Holman of Milliken and Mary (Gary) Gerrard of Loveland; one brother; 12 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife Lidwina; his parents; and six siblings.

A viewing will be held from 4-6:00 P.M., followed by a Rosary starting at 6:30 P.M. on Monday, July 29, 2019 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2222 23rd Avenue, Greeley, CO. Committal Service immediately after the service at Sunset Memorial Gardens, located at 3400 W. 29th St., Greeley, CO, followed by a reception at the Allnutt Macy Chapel reception center, 6521 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO.