Larry Holm

Larry James Holm, 76, died July 19, 2009 at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney, Iowa. He was born May 26, 1933 near Oskaloosa, Iowa to Martin Melvin and Mary Elmina Folson Holm. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1951 and St. Louis Mortuary College. On July 11, 1952, he married Carole Leigh Leanhart at the E&R Church in Oskaloosa. He served in the Iowa National Guard from 1949 to1958 He worked for funeral homes in Oskaloosa, Des Moines, and Ft Madison. Then in early 1959 Larry and Carole purchased the home of the late Clara Schipfer estate and established the Holm Funeral Home, where they provided funeral service and ambulance service to Keokuk County. They continued together until Carole's death on March 20, 1984. Larry sold the funeral home to his son after 40 years of service in 1998. He was very proud to be a locally owned and operated family business. On September 5, 1998 he married Shirley Jean Nisius. She died on August 10, 2006. He spent much of the last years in Texas as a snow bird and later year round.
He loved gardening, his knowledge of plants, soil, and trees was unsurpassed, he loved fishing, but only when the sign was right. He was always up for a game of cards. After Carole's death he enjoyed traveling in the US, cruises, and over seas. Honey, a band-aid and apple cider vinegar were his cure for many aliments.
He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Izaak Walton, Odd Fellows Lodge, American Legion, Iowa Funeral Directors Association for over 50 years, and was Sigourney Volunteer Fireman for over 25 years,
He is survived by his children Leigh Ann and her husband John Waechter, of Cedar Rapids; Jeff and his wife Shirley Holm of Sigourney; four granddaughters Casey Leigh Waechter of Balitmore, Maryland; Katie Caroline Waechter of Cedar Rapids; Meredith Ann Holm of Sigourney; Carolyn Leigh Holm of Sigourney, one brother Bill and his wife Maxine Holm of Sigourney. Several nieces, nephews, and friends
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carole, wife Shirley, brother Carl Holm, sisters Joyce Anderson Streigel, Lois Hicklin, and Phyllis Terpstra Van Wyk.

Funeral Service- 10:30 a.m. Saturday July 25 at the Presbyterian Church in Sigourney
Burial- Bethel Cemetery east of Sigourney
Visitation- after 2:00 p.m. Friday July 24, at the Holm Funeral Home in Sigourney
A Memorial Fund has been established.