Patricia Ann Holst went with her Lord and Savior on November 13, 2023. Patricia Ann Edmondson was born in Clayton, NM on November 20, 1925, to Sam and Clio Edmondson.
Ann’s father Sam was the Postmaster in Clayton, and he also had a cattle ranch outside of town, allowing Ann to grow up riding horses and helping on the ranch. Ann grew up during the Great Depression, and could describe the dust bowl and hard times on a first hand basis. She graduated from Clayton High School in May 1943. She wanted to serve her country as a nurse during World War II, so she went to college in Denton TX, and then to nursing school at Seton School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, CO and graduated in May of 1947 not long after the war ended. While in nurses training she met John Holst, who had recently served in WWII. They were married on August 9, 1947. They moved to Ft. Collins, CO and Ann worked as a nurse in the hospital, while John attended CSU. There they had their first two children, Margaret (Peggy) and Sam. After that they moved to Borger, TX where their third child, Andy, was born.
In 1956, they moved to Boulder, CO, where Ann continued working as a nurse at Boulder Community Hospital. They had their last child, Lisa, in Boulder. After Lisa was born, Ann took a job at the Boulder Medical Center, where she worked for 25 years. Ann was a wonderful nurse, mother, grandmother, cook, gardener, sewer, quilter and bird watcher. She and John enjoyed 68 1/2 years of marriage and were both active members of St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church. They traveled a lot and loved the outdoors and the beauty of Colorado and Wyoming. They had a summer trailer in Grand Lake, CO that they enjoyed with friends and family. Ann was an active member of PEO and DAR.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clio and Sam, her sister Louise, her husband John and her son Andy.
She is survived by her sister Sammie June, her daughter Peggy (Bud), their children Sarah and Andrew, her son Sam (Carolyn), their children Dalton and Joelle, her daughter-in-law Carla, children, Jenelle, Colette, John and Virginia, daughter Lisa (John) their children Tricia, Katie and Connor, and great grandchildren Ben, Eve, Ada, Pearson, Clay, John, Fitz, Wes and Daniel.
Ann was a wonderful, caring, loving mother and grandmother. Ann spent the last few years of her life in Laramie, WY, where she continued to give and touch people’s lives. The greatest gift she gave to her family and friends was her faith in God, may she Rest in Peace with Him.
There will be a funeral mass at St. Laurence O’ Toole Catholic Church in Laramie WY on Saturday November 25th at 11:00 a.m. Internment will be at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Boulder, CO at a later date.
In lieu of flowers please make to donations to Hospice of Laramie, where Ann received tender loving care for the last 7 ½ months of her life.
Lisa and family, please know that I consider it an honor to have cared for Ann in her final days. I know she will rest in peace with a lovely family like yours to have provided her peace during her final years and throughout her splendid life.
Mom. Kind and Loving. Always there to help. Worked as a nurse to pay for my college education. Washed my clothers and fed me once a week when I was a college student. She was a cowgirl. Beautiful woman. When I was a boy I thought my mother looked like a movie star. She took us on camping trips. In camp she would cook us dinner. A dish she called 'slumgullion.' Mom worked in a polio ward. I asked her why she risked her life nursing people with polio. She said "It was her Christian Duty." One of the last things she said to me was; I just want to go be with my Johnny. Her dream came true. She is with her Johnny.
To my grandma: I love you so so so much. I was so lucky to get to spend time when I was little at grandma and grandpas house and Cody and I loved going there. We are lucky we got so much quality time together. Some of my favorite memories: looking through grandmas makeup, her favorite was Clinique, and she would give me items here and there to keep and show me how to “put on my face.” Seeing what fabulous outfit she would wear each day, I love fashion and I think grandma is why. I loved hearing her stories as a nurse, in WW2 and meeting grandpa, the invention of penicillin, the polio epidemic and wards of children on iron lungs, so much of modern medical history witnessed by this extraordinary woman, she inspired me to chose a career in medicine. How she called me sweetie and Nellie, her very distinct curly cursive handwriting on birthday cards. The excitement to go to their house for Christmas and thanksgiving and hang out with my holst family. Listening to Christmas records in the basement. Teaching us how to play piggy wants a signal in the back yard with our cousins. Her steadfast love, warmth, safety, the best grandma, my only grandma. I was so lucky to have you and will miss you so. Love you forever, Nellie.
Grandma, your unconditional love has shown me how to be the best version of myself. Your grace, beauty, and joy, were a constant light in my life. Thank you for being the matriarch of our family and given so many people so much of yourself. Give Dad and Grandpa a hug for us. I know you will be watching over your beloved family. -Cody
Dear Holst Families, We attended Sunday Mass at St. Martin de Porres and enjoyed visiting with Ann and John afterward for coffee and donuts.. We ate out with them several times and would drive around in the country and the local towns....they were fun to visit with and we are so blessed to have known them! Ann was a classy dresser and always looked like a million! Often times we would see each other at the Crossroads shopping for clothes. They invited us to their home for breakfast after Sunday Mass and we sure enjoyed their hospitality! They were genuine, good, kind people and when John died and Ann moved we lost two good friends. With our deep sympathy for your loss, Mike and Judith Miller
Dear Holst Families, John and Ann were fellow parish members of St. Martin de Porres and we had many good visits after Sunday Mass over coffee and donuts. They invited us to their home for a Sunday breakfast and we were privileged to take them both on rides, out in the country and to local restaurants......they really were fun to be with! Ann was classy dresser and always looked like a million dollars! She told us that cowboy boots were pointed so you could get them in the stirrups easily...she had such a grace about her that made you just love being around her! We admire, love and have missed them both so much...we were so blessed to have known them!! Rest in peace dear Ann! With sincere sympathy for your great loss, Mike and Judith Miller
This makes me so sad I worked with Ann many years she was a great friend,nurse and teacher she will not. Be forgotten. Will always be in my heart.
Lisa, My thoughts and paryers are with you. We can remember and smile that our Mothers are in Heaven talking again as they did so much of in Spring Wind. Carmen
Lisa and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. "They whom we love and lose, are no longer where they were before. That are now wherever we are!" St. John Chrysostom Maria Kline (SHJ cafeteria)
Thank you, Maria. She had a good long life and a lot of faith in God. I'm happy that she finally got to go home, but I will miss her!
Heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to all from Arapahoe Chapter DAR of Boulder,Colorado. We have fond memories of Ann marching in the Louisville Labor Day parade while giving away flags. She was a bright light to us. May she Rest In Peace. May Perpetual Light shine on her. Angela McLean, Chaplain- Arapahoe Chapter DAR Boulder,Colorado
Thank you Angela. I appreciate all the cards and letters that you all sent her over the years. It made her feel loved by her old friends at DAR.
My deepest sympathy to Lisa and the entire extended family on the passing of their beloved mother. She was a wonderful aunt and a true servant of the Lord. Ann was my mother, Mary Louise Edmondson's sister. Ann, Louise and Sammie June referred to rhemselves as 'The Edmondson Sisters" when they were together. Blessings, Linda Kay Lake McGrath of BC Canada
Thank you, Linda for your words of Blessing. I never knew your mother’s name was Mary Louise!! I love that!! I hope to see you again someday. Blessing to you and your beautiful family as well❤️✝️