Michelle J. Holmes

Holmes, Michelle J. age 36, of Northfield, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Community of Hope Church in Rosemount, MN. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of services. Lunch will also be served during this time. Arrangements are being completed by the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home of Northfield. Michelle Jennifer Wirth, the daughter of Donald and Julie (Kenison) Wirth, was born on June 22, 1974 in Edina, Minnesota. She attended Apply Valley High School and graduated with the class of 1992. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Iowa State University, graduating in 1996 with a degree in Communications. On September 24, 1999, Michelle was united in marriage to Brent Holmes at the Murphy- Hanrehan Park in Savage. On August 30, 2005 they were blessed by the birth of their son, Evan. Michelle obtained her Yoga Teaching Certification in 2009 and she became a certified and accomplished Yoga Practitioner and a lover of the practice. Michelle pursued life with passion. She loved her family, being a mom to Evan, and her hundreds of friends and their children. Michelle was amazing in so many ways and a gift to all. We could all learn a lot about how to live and what's important by being near her and paying attention to what she did and said and how she thought. Michelle knew exactly who she was and what she valued. She loved to have fun. Michelle lived life flat out as fast as she could go, always interacting with friends. She always ensured that Evan was involved and connected and knew how to make and maintain friendships. Michelle lived life doing a lot of what she loved and liked. She started the tradition with Evan of making sure that people were not only loved, but liked for who they were. Each morning she and Evan would say goodbye to Daddy from the front porch with a pronouncement of their love and like for daddy. "daddy we love and like you" ... over and over again until daddy was out of site. What a wonderful legacy to leave a child. She was a woman who loved spending time in nature, especially with her horses and dogs. - Michelle and Brent met while riding horses and Michelle continued that passion throughout her life. Anyone who knew Michelle knew instantly that Jack and Tenison were not only dogs, but they were full fledged members of the family. She was a woman of non-violence and non-harming, a vegetarian and was a consistent recycler and composter. She proactively strived to influence those who came in contact with her to adhere to principals of peace and personal responsibility to care for the planet and its creatures. She was a devotee of Jane Goodall and intended to volunteer in Jane's work in Africa. She enjoyed traveling with her family. She is survived by her husband Brent and their son Evan of Northfield and a loving extended family and a life's worth of amazing friends.