MARY JEAN HOLMQUIST

Mary Jean Holmquist, of Braham, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge.  She was 90 years old.

Mary Jean was born on April 18, 1934, in Braham, MN to parents Ernest and Martha (Strelow) Danger.  She grew up on the family farm east of Braham and attended Danewood Country School through 6th grade.  She attended Braham High School where she sang in the choir, played flute in the band, and was a cheerleader before graduating in 1951.  During her junior year, Mary Jean met Donald Holmquist, a senior, and a romance began.

Mary Jean went on to Augsburg College in Minneapolis where she graduated with a degree in Music Education in 1955.  She sang in the Augsburg Choir and was Homecoming Queen in 1955.  She began teaching music in the Pine City Schools for a year and then one year at Cambridge Schools.

On June 30, 1957, Mary Jean was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Donald Holmquist at the Zion Lutheran Church in Pine City.   They lived in Minneapolis while Donald completed his degree at Augsburg College.  They made their home in Braham and were blessed with 2 sons, Tim and Mike.  Mary Jean worked as a substitute teacher in the Braham Schools and taught piano lessons to countless students over the years.  

A member of Braham Ev. Lutheran Church since 1960, Mary Jean sang in the church choir, taught Sunday school and confirmation, was a member of the women’s circle and church library, as well as singing at many weddings and funerals.  She and Don enjoyed many travel adventures including the 20 years of winters spent in Palms Springs, CA.  She was an avid reader and had a lifelong appreciation of music.  Mary Jean was a loving wife, mother and grandmother and will be remembered for her dedication to her family and faith. She especially treasured her time with her two grandchildren, Kelsey and Hannah. She will be dearly missed.  

Mary Jean is preceded in death by her parents, sister Hazel (Donald) Swenson; and sister-in-law Marian (Donald) Pearson.

Mary Jean is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Donald; 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.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church with Pastor Jacob Burkman and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Dorman officiating.

The service will be livestreamed to the church's facebook page.

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 services at the church.

Memorial are preferred to the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church or GracePointe Crossings.

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