John Edwin Holmquist

January 7, 1952 – December 10, 2025

John Edwin Holmquist, 73, of Buffalo, MN, passed away from a heart attack while hunting pheasants in South Dakota on December 10, 2025. He was born in Buffalo, Minnesota, to his parents, Bruce and Harriet (Oien) Holmquist. John grew up in Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1970.

John met Barbara (Carriere), at Lake Beauty Bible Camp in 1969 where it was love at first sight. The two were married on June 29, 1974, at Buffalo Covenant Church and they began their life together in Buffalo. Through 43 years of marriage, John and Barb were inseparable while God blessed them with five children: Robert in 1977, Emily in 1980, Gina in 1981, Maria in 1984, and Karina in 1989. John's unwavering belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was a constant in his life, and he was a lifelong member of Buffalo Covenant Church. John and Barb raised their family in Buffalo, where John proudly contributed to the success of his family's grocery store, Holmquist's, and later retired from the City of Buffalo, in 2018.

While his children grew, John could often be found in the bleachers at a rink, stadium, or gym cheering on his children through their youth, high school and college sports. John's passionate support of his family continued with his grandchildren's activities, where hugs and treats were exchanged after countless games. John also loved hunting and traveling to visit family and friends in Maine, Wyoming, and Arizona. John's devotion to Barb was steadfast, and he was by her side as she took her final breath on June 23, 2017

After Barb passed away in 2017, John married Andrea (Behrenbrinker) Ahlm on August 20, 2021. Together they enjoyed international travel, outdoor adventures and spending time with friends.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Barb; daughter, Gina; parents, Bruce and Harriet; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Eva; sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Barry; and brother-in-law, Lowell.

Survivors include: Andrea; John's children and grandchildren Robbie (Jaime) Kate and Drew Holmquist, Emily (Chris) Lexi, JJ, Eva (Hanzlik), Kaitlyn and Annabelle Deneau, Maria (Derek) Charlie, Hannah and Ben Rosso, Karina (Matt) Matsui; John's siblings Rand (Colleen) Holmquist, Kris (Bob) Kruck, Sandy (Dennis Druar) Holmquist; Barb's siblings, and many nieces and nephews. Survivors also include Andrea's children and grandchildren Jennifer (Andrew) Harper, Hudson and Henry Mueller, Patrick Ahlm and Ty Belmore-Ahlm, Nicholas (Kayla Gauthier) Ahlm, and Andrea's siblings.

A Memorial service for John Holmquist will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Buffalo Covenant Church. Lunch to follow.

Inurnment at Swedish Mission Cemetery.

Funeral will be live-streamed at: Buffalocov.org/live