Ethel A. Holt resided at the Littlefork Care Center at the time of her death. She had lived there only two months. She had been a resident of the Littlefork Chateau since February and prior to that her home was in Ray, Minn.
At 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 17, 2012, she left her weak physical body which awaits the resurrection of the dead through the power of Jesus Christ her Lord. According to the Scriptures (2 Corinthians 5:9) she is “absent from the body and at home with the Lord.” Her two sons, Gene and Tom, were with her at the time of her home going.
Ethel Agnes was born to Lauretta (Himes) and Clifford Breneman on a farm between Greenwood and Loyal, Wis., in Clark County, Wis., Dec. 15, 1916.
Ethel Breneman married Frank F. Holt July 30, 1938, at Zion Lutheran Church, International Falls.
They had four children — Peggy (Larry) Gustafson, International Falls, Eugene (Judy) Holt, Littlefork, Cheryl (Tom Carlson), Ray, and Thomas (Melissa) Holt, International Falls. She enjoyed 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
At 1 year of age she moved with her family from Wisconsin to Ray, Minn. And at the age of 4 they returned to the family farm in Wisconsin, Clark County.
She attended LaTart Middle School with her brother, Cliff, and graduated in 1934 from Greenwood High School as salutatorian and class president. That same week the family moved back to Ray to take over the farm on the hill west of the Ray Cemetery, where her body will rest until resurrection day.
She graduated from Lee’s Beauty School in St. Paul with her license in cosmetology and worked at Ann and King’s Beauty Shop in International Falls. Later, she and Evelyn Dunham owned Mi-Lady’s Beauty Shop, located above the J.C. Penney store. For many years she also operated her Home Beauty Salon. She had many wonderful and loyal customers. Even in her later years she helped to set hair at Woodland Apartments.
Her activities throughout her long life included teaching Sunday School, Release Time, Vacation Bible School, being involved in women’s ministries, teaching and attending Bible studies as well as enjoying Horticulture Club, making quilts, picnics, fishing, family reunions, birthday parties, traveling and touring around America with Gene and Judy, her visits to Oregon, reading, playing (and winning) Skip-Bo, Journal crossword puzzles, Hawaiian music, Jewish music, cooking, making donuts for the grandkids and visiting on the phone with her many friends and family, especially when she couldn’t get out as much in later years.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her loving husband of 51 years; grandson, Kirt Campbell; infant great-grandson, Isaiah Carlson; brothers-in-law, Erland Johnson of Aitkin and Elwin (Al), his wife, Eunice and daughters, Yvonne Holt and Joan Neal.
Surviving their sister is Cliff Breneman Jr. (Ellen) of Ray and Romelle Johnson of Aitkin, Minn.; as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at Northwoods Bible Church, Ray, Minn.
In memoriam: Ethel enjoyed the many flowers gifted to her throughout her life, but would like lasting memorials, if you wish, to go to Northwoods Bible Church, Littlefork Care Center or North Star Hospice.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
