DONALD HOLMQUIST

Donald John Holmquist, of Braham, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Cambridge Medical Center.  He was 92 years old.

Don was born in the Braham Hospital on April 13, 1932, to parents Anton and Ruth (Sundberg) Holmquist.  He grew up on the family farm in the Day area and attended Day Country School through 8th grade.  He attended Braham High School where he played football, basketball, baseball, and sang in the choir before graduating in 1950.  During his senior year, he met junior Mary Jean Danger, and a romance began.

After high school, Don worked for East Central Electric before enlisting in the United States Army on February 10, 1953.  He was discharged as a Sergeant on February 9, 1955.  He went on to Augsburg College in Minneapolis where he played centerfield on the 1959 MIAC championship baseball team.  He graduated with a degree in business in 1960.   

On June 30, 1957, Don was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mary Jean at the Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City.  They made their home in Braham and were blessed with 2 sons, Tim and Mike. 

Don began his career working for the First State Bank of Braham, running Olson Insurance Agency through the Bank.  He later became the bank Vice President but after the bank was sold in the late 80’s, he established Holmquist and Grundyson Insurance Agency in Braham; which he ran until his retirement in the mid 90’s.

An avid golfer, Don was a proud founding board member of the Purple Hawk Golf Club. A longtime member of Braham Ev. Lutheran Church, Don served many years on the church council and on other service committees.  Don served on the Braham School Board, Braham Fair Board, Economic Development Board, over 40 years in the Commercial Club/Civics and Commerce club and spent years volunteering during Braham Pie Days.  In 2003, Don was inducted into the Braham Hall of Fame for his years of dedicated service to the Braham community.

Don and Mary Jean enjoyed many travel adventures including annual trips to Madden’s on Gull Lake and 20 years of winters spent in Palm Springs, CA.  In January of 2025, Don enjoyed a final trip to Palm Springs with Tim and Judy.

In recent years, Don and Mary Jean lived at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge where he shared his great sense of humor and warm congeniality.  Don’s life was marked by his deep love and dedication to his family. He had a warm heart and generous nature that will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife of 67 years, Mary Jean; sister Marian (Donald) Pearson; and sister-in-law Hazel (Donald) Swenson.

Don is survived by his sons, Timothy (Judy) Holmquist and Michael Holmquist; granddaughters, Kelsey (Michael) Schrock and Hannah Holmquist (Adrian Macedo); nephew Robert (Ute) Swenson; great niece Samantha (Dennis) Rice; great great niece Chloe; many other extended family and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at GracePointe Crossing and special helper Jamie Mattson for their compassion and care of Don in his final months.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 11, 2025 at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church with Pastor Jacob Burkman and Rev. Dr Jeffrey Dorman officiating.  The service will be livestreamed to the Braham Lutheran Church facebook page.  see link below.

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Inurnment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

A Luncheon will follow the service.

Memorials are preferred to the Braham Lutheran Church or GracePointe Crossing.

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