John Marcus "Mark" Holmes

Dear Holmes Family,

My mom Helen Swenson Hetager was first cousin to Mark. She often told us how, as a child, she would look forward to the visits of the Holmes kids. Being an only child, she loved having Mark and his siblings drop in and spend the night! What fun they had.
My sympathy to you at this difficult time.

Judy Hetager Litsey
Boulder, Colorado

Todd and Carol,
We are sorry to learn of Mark's passing. Mark was a long time Toastmaster and friend to so many. Our community has lost an inspirational leader, and one who was admired by many throughout the years. I am honored to have known Mark. Nancy and I send our condolences.

To Mark's family,
My father, Larry Kulstad told me of Marks passing this morning. I met him several years back while I was in town and last year had a delightful lunch with he and his buds at the Hopkins House. He was a lovely gentleman and a great friend to my dad.
I am sincerely sorry for your loss.
JIm Kulstad

Todd, Carol, Bette and family,
I am so sorry to learn of Mark's death. He was a remarkable man and story teller. My experience at Toastmaster's was richer for his weekly warm welcome, for being my touchstone to WWII through his eyes and experiences and for sincere and gentle encouragement. I know what you are going through this holiday season. My mother's memorial service will be held on the 29th as Mark is buried. I will mourn them both. In peace.

I will forever remember Mark opening each show of the Messiah Players as if the performances were for each and every individual in the audience. His kindness and grace to my children and loving guidance in every respect will always be in my heart.

My Dad, Bill Leach was such a wonderful friend to Mark. For a long time he picked Mark up almost weekly and took him to lunch, the grocery store, to visit Bette and to the bank. My Dad spoke very highly of Mark and was an awesome friend to him! For many years, they shared much of life and countless stories with each other while having lunch most every Friday. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mark. Sincerely, Peggy Krebs (Leach)

I began my work as a student pastor at Messiah Church forty years ago next month. I had my first run in with Bette when I tried to cancel a Wednesday afternoon program because of a little (lot) of snow. From then on we had a wonderful experience resurrecting the Messiah Players of which Mark was a central figure over the years. I have not been around much in those forty years but I will always remember Mark to be outgoing, friendly and very welcoming to me and to my wife Winnie, especially...

We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Mark Holmes. We still remember when we first met Mark and Bette several years ago. We were seated next to them at a League of Women Voters' dinner and we felt we had hit the jackpot! They kept us spellbound with their stories about the war and the situation of women during the fifties and sixties...It was like sitting next to a living history book--We both agreed we couldn't have asked for a more interesting, more stimulating evening and we...

Father and friend, you showed me unconditional love I will always treasure.