DONALD MAGNUS HOLM

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DONALD MAGNUS HOLM Don passed away on January 22, 2016 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Lymphoma. Despite the toll the cancer took on his independence and fighting spirit, he was able to stay in his home until the end. Don was born in Winnipeg on May 16, 1932, and was the eldest of six children born to Bogga and Solvin Holm. He was raised in Gimli, and as a young man helped in the family business of farming and fishing. He peddled fish on his bike, and quit school after Grade 8 to pursue paid employment. He held a variety of jobs over the course of his life, including working as a ship's hand in Alaska, co-owner of a gravel truck business with his friend Arthur Goodman, cab driver, carpenter, shipbuilder, but he ultimately spent the bulk of his career driving trucks, delivering bread for many years, and then lastly as a transport truck driver, both short and long-haul. While raising a young family, he completed his Grade 12 equivalency. Don was a voracious reader throughout his life, and passed his love of knowledge to his children; in a pre-Google age always striving to find out the truth on a number of topics. Don met Shirley Muir in Winnipeg on a blind date and they married, living first in Winnipeg, then Stonewall, finally settling on a 40-acre parcel of land outside of Gimli. To the end of his life, his home brought him great pleasure, as he tended to the land, growing enough vegetables to feed a village. As his health deteriorated, he continued to derive pleasure from watching the birds visit the feeders from the vantage point of his favourite chair. Our dad was strong and proud, and as stubborn as the day is long. In his late 70s, despite the sapping of his strength from cancer, he dug a drainage ditch for his beloved garden; this determination was the sum of his character. One of the highlights of his retirement was a trip to his ancestral homeland of Iceland, with his great and lifelong friend Gordie Goodman, where he was able to connect with distant relatives who welcomed him with warm hospitality. On their arrival home, Don's daughter met them at the airport and was delighted with their boyish glee as they recounted their adventures. Sadly, Gordie predeceased Don in October. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife Shirley in 1988, son Michael in 1996, sisters Joan and Heida, and brothers-in-law Barry Dunn and Pete Shewaga. He is survived by his children Dan and Darene Yavorsky, Susan, Matt and Brenda Zachanowich, his only grandson Jan Paul Field and Jennifer Alexander, brothers Hughie and Jane, Lester and Rosemary, sister Lynne and Wendell Keeler, and dear friend Ollie, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Our dad once said, "I am never so happy as when I am planting a tree." We, his children and grandchild, are dedicated to preserving his legacy by continuing to tend his land, as was his wish. Donations are gratefully accepted to the Michael H. Holm scholarship fund at Brandon University. We extend thanks to his CancerCare team at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and Gimli, and the staff at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli who tended to him with compassion while he was in their care. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waterfront Centre, 94 First Avenue in Gimli.
Publish Date: Jan 27, 2016

DONALD MAGNUS HOLM Don passed away on January 22, 2016 at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Lymphoma. Despite the toll the cancer took on his independence and fighting spirit, he was able to stay in his home until the end. Don was born in Winnipeg on May 16, 1932, and was the eldest of six children born to Bogga and Solvin Holm. He was raised in Gimli, and as a young man helped in the family business of farming and fishing. He peddled fish on his bike, and quit school after Grade 8 to pursue paid employment. He held a variety of jobs over the course of his life, including working as a ship's hand in Alaska, co-owner of a gravel truck business with his friend Arthur Goodman, cab driver, carpenter, shipbuilder, but he ultimately spent the bulk of his career driving trucks, delivering bread for many years, and then lastly as a transport truck driver, both short and long-haul. While raising a young family, he completed his Grade 12 equivalency. Don was a voracious reader throughout his life, and passed his love of knowledge to his children; in a pre-Google age always striving to find out the truth on a number of topics. Don met Shirley Muir in Winnipeg on a blind date and they married, living first in Winnipeg, then Stonewall, finally settling on a 40-acre parcel of land outside of Gimli. To the end of his life, his home brought him great pleasure, as he tended to the land, growing enough vegetables to feed a village. As his health deteriorated, he continued to derive pleasure from watching the birds visit the feeders from the vantage point of his favourite chair. Our dad was strong and proud, and as stubborn as the day is long. In his late 70s, despite the sapping of his strength from cancer, he dug a drainage ditch for his beloved garden; this determination was the sum of his character. One of the highlights of his retirement was a trip to his ancestral homeland of Iceland, with his great and lifelong friend Gordie Goodman, where he was able to connect with distant relatives who welcomed him with warm hospitality. On their arrival home, Don's daughter met them at the airport and was delighted with their boyish glee as they recounted their adventures. Sadly, Gordie predeceased Don in October. Don was predeceased by his beloved wife Shirley in 1988, son Michael in 1996, sisters Joan and Heida, and brothers-in-law Barry Dunn and Pete Shewaga. He is survived by his children Dan and Darene Yavorsky, Susan, Matt and Brenda Zachanowich, his only grandson Jan Paul Field and Jennifer Alexander, brothers Hughie and Jane, Lester and Rosemary, sister Lynne and Wendell Keeler, and dear friend Ollie, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Our dad once said, "I am never so happy as when I am planting a tree." We, his children and grandchild, are dedicated to preserving his legacy by continuing to tend his land, as was his wish. Donations are gratefully accepted to the Michael H. Holm scholarship fund at Brandon University. We extend thanks to his CancerCare team at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg and Gimli, and the staff at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli who tended to him with compassion while he was in their care. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Waterfront Centre, 94 First Avenue in Gimli.
Publish Date: Jan 26, 2016

DONALD MAGNUS HOLM Don passed away at the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Gimli on Friday January 22, 2016. Longer notice to follow.
Publish Date: Jan 25, 2016
Publish Date: Jan 26, 2016

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 27, 2016