Heather Dawn Holston, 54

Heather Dawn Holston, 54, of Hayden, Idaho, went home to see Jesus face-to-face Jan. 8, 2023. She passed away in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with her family by her side after a 5 ½ year battle with cancer.

Heather was born Feb. 9, 1968, in Massillon, Ohio, to Donald and Elaine (Clisby) Carlson. Her family moved to Southern California when she was 4. As a young girl, she enjoyed trips to the beach with her family and playing multiple instruments in her band at North High School in Torrance, Calif. She loved playing the piano with others standing around her singing.

At the age of 19, Heather married her first husband, Michael Wallace, of Torrance, Calif. They had two children: Isaiah Wallace and Sarah (Wallace) Hamilton. While in Panama, Heather dedicated her life to the Lord, was baptized, and did some teaching at the Missionary Baptist School. After six years of marriage, she found herself as a single mother. She went back to school at a technical college in San Pedro, and began secretarial work.

On Aug. 10, 1996, Heather married Mike Holston in Livermore, Calif. In 1997, Heather decided to quit her job to become a stay-at-home mother, so that she could homeschool her children. She has since homeschooled all eight of her living children. Heather and Mike moved to Washington State in 2004 to be closer to family. In 2010, they had a son born with a heart defect. Heather flew in the Medjet with her son, Endurance, to Ohio for a heroic heart surgery. Many of Heather’s closest friendships blossomed during the 8 ½ months of Endurance’s life.

Heather and her family moved to Hayden, Idaho, in 2016. A year later, she was diagnosed with cancer. After surviving a 12-hour cancer surgery in Seattle 2019, Heather returned to Idaho to recover. She was blessed with a short cancer-free time, until the cancer returned in 2021.

Heather was loved by all of her nurses, and even high pain levels did not dampen her love for others. Within five minutes of meeting a new nurse, she would know how long they’ve lived here, how many kids they had, and their favorite restaurant in town. She always smiled, and the light of Jesus shined through her. Her greatest ambition was to point people to Christ.

She loved her family with an undying love, and would endure anything, just to have one more day with them. Among her last words to her family were, “Always trust God. Always.”

She is survived by her husband, Mike Holston, and her eight children; her five sons: Isaiah Wallace (Oregon), David Holston (wife-Alexis) (Michigan), Elijah Holston (Idaho), Noah Holston (Idaho) and Peter Holston (Idaho); her three daughters: Sarah Hamilton (husband-Michael) (Kentucky), Hannah Wanless (husband-Gavin) (Kentucky) and Faith Holston (Idaho); Heather’s sister, Kathy (Carlson) Carlen (Colorado), her sister, Cindy (Carlson) Holston (husband-James) (Washington); her brother, Jeff Carlson (wife-Gigi) (Washington); Heather’s sister-in-law, Chardy Lang (California); Heather’s father, Donald Carlson (California); Heather’s five grandchildren; Tori, Lucy, Jack, Natasha and Levi; and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces.

Heather was preceded in death by her mother, Elaine (Clisby) Carlson, and her son, Endurance Jonathan Holston.

A public viewing will be held from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, at Yates Funeral Home — Hayden Chapel — 373 E. Hayden Ave. Hayden, Idaho 83835. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at Maple St. Community Church — 9485 N. Maple St., Hayden, Idaho 83835. A graveside will then be held at Riverview Cemetery — 1065 Lincoln Way Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814. Please visit Heather’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.