Donna M Holmes

Donna Mae (Weekley) Holmes, age 83 passed away peacefully on Monday, January 19th at her home in Park Rapids surrounded by her loving husband and all of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her funeral services will be on Saturday, January 24th at the Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids, MN with service beginning at 11 a.m., viewing held in the hour preceding. Luncheon to follow at the Eagles Club in Park Rapids, MN.
Donna was born to Vern and Belinda (Peeler) Weekley in Park Rapids on February 1st, 1931. She married Earl Clayton Holmes on May 12, 1950 in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Together, they had three daughters: Katherine Eastlack of Maple Lake, Francine (Roy) Fredrickson of Blaine, and Julene (Tim) Donnay of Ham Lake. She was also adored and loved as grandmother and great grandmother of Troy (Lisa) Eastlack of San Francisco, Ahyoung and Mia; Steven (Lisa) Eastlack of Edina, Andrew, Claire, and John; Tony (Jennie) Eastlack of Waverly, MN , Olivia, Cooper, and Elwin; Belinda (Dan) Eastlack-Pawloski of Savage, MN; Richard (Annette Rudy) Shepherd of San Francisco, CA; Dan (Amanda) Fredrickson of Albertville, MN, Caiden and Connor; Beth (Jordan) DeBilzan of Blaine, Sawyer, Gracelyn and Everleigh; and Jacob Donnay of Ham Lake.
Donna and Earl met 65 years ago while roller skating in Park Rapids, and were wed just 5 short months later. They have spent the remaining 65 years building their home and family. She helped build a business with her husband (Earls Service), worked as a Realtor, a secretary at Pine Manor, Assistant at the Contract for Deeds office, Social Editor at the Park Rapids Enterprise along with many other jobs in her life. She was a member of many local civic and fraternal organizations in the Park Rapids area along with being very involved in the Girl Scouts, Jobs Daughters, 4H Club, and the Tall Pine Riders Saddle Club. She was a graduate of the Clown College in LaCrosse, WI in 1992 and loved to dress up and entertain children in local parades and at family gatherings as Posie the clown.
She will be widely remembered for her flower gardening and Master Gardener skills. Everything she touched bloomed out of her love for God?s beauty on earth. Donna taught gardening classes for many years in the district and held many garden workshops. She enjoyed working on gardens at her home, at the Heritage Nursing Home and at other community parks. She loved the annual flower shows and was a State Horticulture Judge, traveling across the state judging various fairs and contests. Donna loved to compete in flower competitions, creating many beautiful designs and was often successful in winning the grand champion.
Donna?s passion for travel took her to beautiful places such as Alaska and Bermuda. In her later years, she could often be found traveling around her yard, giving scooter rides to her great grandchildren.
Donna will be greatly missed by her family and so many friends around the world. We know she will carry on her green thumb making beautiful the gardens in heaven. We would like to thank the Park Rapids Hospice Organization for the love and support they provided to our family.
Donna was preceded in death by her loving parents, Vern and Belinda (Peeler) Weekley, sister Katy Hochstatter, brothers David Weekley, William Weekley and Leslie Weekley, and beloved son-in-law Galen(Kathy) Eastlack.