Edwin Keith Holland, 83

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 30, 2010.

During his long illness he so appreciated the care he received from the medical community in the Silver Valley, Coeur d’Alene and Spokane. He was constantly surrounded by the loving care of his devoted family who loved him more than words can express.

Edwin Keith Holland was born in Spokane on Jan. 12, 1927. His family moved to Mullan when he was a small boy. He was a 1945 graduate of Mullan High School where he excelled in athletics and was student body president.

He was a proud veteran of World War II. He entered the U.S. Army in June 1945 and served with the Occupation Forces in Germany. He was discharged in February 1947.

He and Lee Ann Meier were married July 2, 1947, in Kellogg. One year later he began his college education at North Idaho College of Education (now Lewis and Clark) in Lewiston, taking advantage of the G.I. Bill. He also worked part time at the lumber mill there and Lee was secretary to the Registrar at the college.

Ed graduated in 1951 with a B.A. degree in education. Ten days after his graduation Ed and Lee’s first child was born. Ed also did graduate work at Eastern Washington University and the University of Idaho. He taught school in Latah, Wash., for six years and then in the Kellogg School District for 12 years. He never stopped talking about his former students and thought each one of them was the greatest kid ever! He then went to work for the Bunker Hill Company as a Planner and a Foreman.

Ed was a past Exalted Ruler of the Kellogg Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. No. 1841. He was a member of Mountain View Congregational Church (formerly the United Church of Kellogg) for 53 years where he also sang in the choir. He cherished the friendships of his church family, especially his special choir pals Dan Meyer and Ron Forsberg. Ed considered giving them a bad time one of his church duties! His dear friends in the community were too numerous to be counted. Lee took care of children of working mothers for 25 years and they were loved by both Ed and Lee. They remained Grandpa Ed and Grandma Lee to all of them. Ed thought of many family friends as special sons and daughters also.

One of Ed’s greatest joys was going on fishing trips in “the motor home” with his son, sons-in-law, grandsons and brother Ken. The stories of these trips would fill a book! He also loved to work in his yard and family gatherings for birthdays, holidays and special events. Nothing meant more to Ed than his precious family. Monetary wealth meant nothing to him and he considered himself the richest man on Earth.

Ed is survived by his dear wife of almost 63 years, Lee Ann Holland of the family home in Kellogg; seven children and their spouses, Kathryn and Bill Booth, David and Debbie Holland, Nicki and Alan Kohal, Lisa and Michael Ouimet, Janlyn and Kenny Cleveland, Amy Fink and fiance Tim Arnhold and Jill and Paul Berger. Ed loved his childrens’ spouses as dearly as his own children.

There are 19 grandchildren, David and Steven Booth, Katie and Corey Parsons; Edwin Ryan Holland, Davey and Shannon Holland; Tim and Sarah Kohal, Matt Kohal; Nicole, Andrew and Aimee Ouimet; Sara, Amanda, Emily and Daniel Cleveland; Erik, Lee Ann and Holland “Holly” Fink; Maranda and Lauren Berger. Also 10 great-grandchildren, Rachel, Bethany, Braeden, Jeffrey, Megan and Zoey Parsons; Jackson, Joseph and Madison Kohal; Houston Holland. Ed had cute, funny nicknames for all of them and each one was sure that he/she was his favorite. And they were!

Ed is also survived by his beloved brother and his wife, Kenneth D. and Barbara Holland and six special nieces and nephews and their families. Many cousins and their families. He cherished them all.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Daisie Holland; his sister, Janyce Goodman; son-in-law Robert Fink and his precious grandson, Chad Berger.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 8, 2010, at the Mountain View Congregational Church, 525 W. Cameron Ave., Kellogg. Pastors Art Fleming and David Langer will officiate.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to the Mountain View Congregational Church, 525 W. Cameron Ave., Kellogg, or to the St. Judes Children’s Hospital.

You may sign Ed’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.

Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is entrusted with funeral arrangements.