Robert Raymond “Bob” Holm, 88, of Mason City, NE, died peacefully at his home, south of Mason City, surrounded by family on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Visitation will take place at the First Baptist church in Mason City, NE on Wed., Mar. 20, 2019 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Celebration of Life Services for Robert R. Holm will be held on Thurs., Mar. 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mason City. Interment will follow at the Mason City Cemetery. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com. Bob requested memorials go to Family’s choice.
He was born July 10, 1930, on the family farm south of Mason City to Raymond (Ray) H. Holm and Helen (Marie) Dickerson Holm—the second of four children.
When he was almost four-years-old, Bob was in a car accident near Scottsbluff, NE which took the life of his grandmother, Minnie Hiser Holm, and nearly cost him his life, but luckily he was granted 84 more years on this Earth.
Bob spent his childhood on the family farm four miles south and one mile east of Mason City, where his great grandparents, Harder and Mary Holm, homesteaded the Holm farm on Oct. 2, 1888. Bob purchased ground from his Uncle Henry in March 1955, which is where their current home resides.
Bob attended Beechville Rural School and graduated in 1948 from Mason City High School. He served in the United States Marines from 1952-54 with tours in Puerto Rico and Japan before returning home to farm with his Dad. He farmed his family’s farm for over 40 years spending many hours fixing fence, raising Hereford cattle, and cutting cedar trees and musk thistles.
On April 28, 1957, he married Sarah (Ann) Lamb at Mason City Baptist Church. They enjoyed playing cards with friends and going to dances, especially where they could waltz and schottische together. He and Ann were blessed with six children: Peggy, Marilyn, Sharon, Patty, Paula and James (Jim). On April 28, 2017, the couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family.
Bob was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 142, a Mason and a Shriner (playing in the band). He served on the Mason School board, Mid-States Coop board and served offices in the Legion and Masonic Lodge.
He grew up playing trumpet in the Beechville Band, then later played in the Maverick and Shrine bands. One of his favorite memories was the Shrine trip to Toronto, Canada. The first time he played taps for a funeral was when he was ten-years-old and continued to play decades later for as long as he could.
During the 50’s and 60’s, he enjoyed playing on the local baseball team. He also served as a timer for the Mason City Rodeo for several years. Bob was very proud that all of his children graduated high school and college and acquired his passion for music and sports.
Bob especially loved the Huskers (volleyball, football, basketball and baseball), and the St. Louis Cardinals. Hunting and fishing were two favorite activities he enjoyed with his Granddad Herman, which he later enjoyed with his kids and grand-kids. Annual pheasant hunting with former Nebraska football players was an event Bob always looked forward to. For years, he was a member of the local coyote hunters club.
He was very proud of the Hereford herd that he and his son, Jim, built, winning them several special awards and topping the Hereford heifer market in the US.
Bob loved visiting friends and sharing stories all throughout his life. He always seemed to have another story to tell.
In the last few months of his life, Bob looked forward to his weekly visits from his daughter, Patty, having her undivided attention and getting his Mt. Dew. He enjoyed outings to visit friends, go fishing, taking a drive around the farm, and visits from family and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents (Ray and Marie) and in-laws (Clarence and Sarah Lamb), his siblings Janiece Cotner, Kenneth Holm, his sister-in-law Barbara Holm and brothers-in-law Orvin Cox, Chet Lamb, Kenneth Paul Lamb, Bob Simonson, Orel Coffman and BJ Cotner.
He is survived in life by his wife, Ann, his six children and their families: Peggy and Al Meier, Craig and Elizabeth of Deshler, NE; Marilyn Holm of Clam Gulch, AK; Sharon and Glen Diener, Sarah, Caleb and Joshua of Hillsboro, KS; Patty and Randy Kaslon, Stacey and Tim of Holdrege, NE; Paula and Steve DeFreece, Schyler, Gabe and Jon of Tecumseh, NE; and Jim and Tina Holm, Caden, Ali and Jenna of Mason City, NE.
