Obituaries

Oscar La Verne Holleque

Photo of Oscar La Verne Holleque
Oscar La Verne Holleque, aka Stig, 95, of Austin, Minn., Springdale, Ark., and many cities in between, passed away peacefully in the company of his granddaughter, Carrie, on Jan. 7, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. He relocated to Texas immediately after the death of his beloved wife of 72 years, Irene Johanna (Yonke) Holleque on Oct. 18, 2011. At his request, both his and Irene's urns will be placed at their headstone, Hoflanda (Historical) Cemetery, Mower County, Minn., later this year. Oscar was born in Conrad, Mont., to Oscar and Nellie Holleque on April 25, 1917, on their Montana land-rush claim. He and Irene went to high school at Austin, Minn., both graduating 1935. He went on to attend Luther College and returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Irene Yonke in 1939. In his early years, he worked at Hormel Meat Packing then became a professional Boy Scout executive for 20 years. In 1962, he started a new career managing church-affiliated nursing homes and retired to Springdale, Ark., in 1982. Founding member of Living Savior Lutheran Church of Springdale, Ark., Rotary Club of Springdale (oldest living). He enjoyed sports and music; was on Austin HS state basketball team, also played football, baseball, ran track. Played clarinet in the Luther College Band that was sent to perform in Norway. After high school and college, played on the Hormel Packers baseball team. Oscar is preceded in death by father, Oscar Edwin Holleque; mother, Nellie Maria (Carlson) Holleque; sisters, Marian and Delpha; and brother, Richard. Oscar and Irene are survived by Oscar E. (Gene) Holleque and wife, Joyce, of Arlington, Texas, and Stephen R. Holleque and wife, Jill, of Jackson, Mich.; grandchildren, Cynthia Holleque, Timothy Holleque, Stephen (Todd) Holleque, Heather Hall and Carrie Snodgrass; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hoflanda Cemetery Assoc., 18477 640th Ave., Adams, MN 55909-8669; or Living Savior Lutheran Church,1600 W. Graham Road, Springdale AR 72762. Oscar's final words and mantra — "Keep the Faith."

Published January 13, 2013

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