Edna Elva Holder, 92, daughter of John Beddow and Annie Mary (Castleman) Kaighin, was born April 19, 1922, in Yukon, Mo. She passed away Sept. 9, 2014, in Houston, Mo.
Edna grew up in the Yukon area and attended Houston Schools, graduating from Houston High School.
She married Chloe Holder on Nov. 8, 1941. To this union three children were born, Sharon, Roger and Sandra. Chloe preceded her in death in 1977.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings, Ruth Smith, Luther Kaighin, Frank Kaighin, Helen Kaighin, Mary Craig, Dorothy Kaighin and Don Kaighin; and a son-in-law, Mike Manier.
She is survived by her children, Sharon Meusch and husband, Larry, of Rolla, Mo., Roger Holder and wife, Peggy, of Houston, Mo., and Sandra Manier of Houston, Mo; seven grandchildren, John, Eric, Mary, Nathan, Chuck, Kirk and Scott; six great-grandsons, Stewart, David, Owen, Gus, Jack and Waylon; eight great granddaughters, Rosalia, Lydia, Kaighin, Chloe, Lily, Rhease, Millie and Nola; three sisters-in-law, Donna Armfield and husband, Lloyd, of Florida, Wilma Dean Holder of Houston, Mo., and Dorothy Holder of Eldon, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Kenneth Holder and wife, Billie, of Houston, Mo.; and a host of other family members and friends made through the years.
Edna’s first working venture was at Herron’s Drug Store. She was there until 1941, which was the year she married Chloe. They moved to Kansas and were there until Chloe was called into the Army in 1943. Edna went to live with his parents in Missouri. When Chloe was discharged, they bought a farm in Yukon. She said they enjoyed every minute of working on it until the drought of 1953-54. To survive, they moved to St. Louis, where Chloe worked in construction. In 1957, they moved to Houston and Chloe started Holder Construction and she became the bookkeeper. After Chloe’s death, she worked for Hortter’s Accounting and finally as a receptionist for Dr. Michael Duff.
Edna enjoyed several hobbies, quilting, crocheting and reading. She and Chloe had traveled to many of the western states and Mexico. However one of her most treasured adventures was going to the Isle of Man in 1984. This was the home of her grandfather, Kaighin. She and several other family members went and enjoyed the sights of not only the Isle of Man, but also Germany and England. She said, “It was a wonderful trip but there is no place like home.”
She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church, available to do any job. She loved the fellowship and fun that she had with those she worshiped with.
In an autobiography she wrote for the 70th High School Reunion she said, “My family is a very special part of my life.” This was an understatement. She loved each and every one of them and supported them with her prayers daily. She loved welcoming them into her home to visit, eat and laugh. When going to her home you always felt welcome and loved.
Her voice, touch, advice, laughter and love will be missed by all who knew her.
Services were 11 a.m.Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at the First Baptist Church, Houston, Mo., with the Rev. Hugh V. Stewart and Nathan Holder officiating. Burial was in Big Creek Cemetery. Pallbearers were John Meusch, Eric Meusch, Nathan Holder, Churck Manier, Kirk Manier, Scott Manier and Mary Hunninghake.
Memorials may be made to Big Creek Cemetery, Houston Alumni Association or Texas County Hospice of Care. Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfh.com. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
PAID