Vickey Margaret Denk Holmes

Vickey M. Holmes, age 93 passed away June 7, in Pennsylvania at a hospital near where she had been residing for most of the last few years with her son and daughter-in-law. Her passing was peaceful and her immediate family surrounded her. Vickey was born August 11, 1917 to John and Anna Frank Denk in Kansas City, Kansas. Following the death of her mother in 1918, she was sent to live with Mr. and Mrs. George Ruder and their family on a farm near Schoenschoen, Kansas. She often referred to that time as the happiest of her childhood. Upon returning to Kansas City she attended St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and school where she completed the eighth grade before being required to join the work force to assist in supporting her three brothers, four sisters, father and step-mother. Mrs. Holmes was a devoted family woman and enjoyed sixty years of marriage to her husband Victor, who died in 2001. An avid cook and baker she became known for a variety of dishes, but none more so than the simple beef taco, which she perfected to a high art form. Her friends and relatives were not shy about suggesting that she throw a “taco party” and she was always willing to do so. The many nieces and nephews who had the pleasure of being a childhood overnight guest were always treated to a breakfast of German pancakes and that dish also gained legendary status. The making of the delicious bread called povatica was a holiday tradition that she shared with a variety of family members. Over the years of her lifetime she enjoyed a host of friendships and interests including being an amateur hairdresser, dancing to big band music, fishing, competitive bowling (more recently Wii bowling), crocheting, sewing, practicing her faith, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Following a lifetime of living in Kansas City Vickey moved to Pennsylvania in 2006 where she maintained an active correspondence with her friends through old-fashioned letter writing in this age of electronic correspondence. Her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Jerry Clement and her son and daughter-in-law Larry and Kathleen Holmes survive her. Her grandchildren are Beth Clement, Jeff Clement (Carla), and Phoebe Holmes-Juck (Matt). Additionally she has four and two-thirds great grandchildren and two living sisters, Ann Zagar of Albuquerque, NM, and Ruth Thies of Upland, CA.Funeral service will be 10:00, Saturday, June 18, 2011, at the Chapel Hill Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., KCK. Intement in the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m.,Friday at the funeral home.

To honor her beloved kitty, Shadow, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to any no-kill animal shelter in her name. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.chapelhill-butler.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel Hill-Butler Funeral Home Kansas City, Kansas