Mary Helen Holliman

Mary Helen Holliman, age 91, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Battle Lake, MN.

She was born on August 2, 1933 in Albuquerque, NM to Joseph and Felize (Aragon) Garcia.

She grew up in Santa Fe, NM and attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where she earned her teaching degree and met her future husband, James Donald "Don" Holliman. They were married on July 23, 1955. 

Mary Helen was a woman of great faith. She was always involved in her Catholic parish by teaching CCD, singing in the choir, volunteering for Marriage Encounter, Eucharistic ministry, and attending daily mass. She had a special relationship with our Blessed Mother Mary and enjoyed praying the rosary. Her rosary gave her such comfort that in her later years, she would sleep with it under her pillow. If she couldn't sleep, she could easily find her rosary and pray. 

Mary Helen and Don then moved to Golden, CO so Don could finish his degree in petroleum engineering. While in Colorado, their sons Jim and Mike were born. Once Don finished his degree, they moved to Garden Grove, CA to begin Don's career. While in California, her daughter Denise was born. After a few years in California, they decided to move the family to Casper, WY where her daughter Elena was born. 

Mary Helen loved living around the mountains. She even learned to snow ski while in Casper! Next stop was Billings, MT. They also lived in Tulsa, OK, Bismarck, ND and Mary Helen's last years were spent in Battle Lake, MN. 

Family was the most important thing to Mary Helen. She was a stay-at-home mom for most of the growing up years of her children. Always there to help shepherd them through life and to hold down the fort while Don traveled to the oil fields. 

Mary Helen loved children and was thrilled when her grandchildren came along. She enjoyed playing with them, babysitting them, and would do fun projects with them. One of her specialties was making piñatas and she had the patience to work with the little ones getting all goopy with glue and newspaper. She was blessed with six great grandchildren and would light up whenever they were around. The Lemar children (Jerald and Amanda) Lincoln 16, Cael 14, Anna 11, and the Nerpel children (Theresa and Scott) Aiden 10, Charlee 8, and the newest addition (Derek and Abby) Dake Lee 1. She was thrilled to get to meet Dake just a few months ago. 

Survived by her children, Jim Holliman, Joe/Mike Holliman, and Denise and Doug Lee; grandchildren, Theresa Lee (Scott Nerpel), Derek Lee (Abbey) and Jerald Lemar (Amanda); and six beautiful great grandchildren. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Holliman; daughter, Elena Holliman; granddaughter, Katheryne Lee; and great grandson, Hank Lee.

We will all miss Mary Helen and her sweet smile, caring nature and her love for family. We are grateful for the caregivers at Good Samaritan Battle Lake for taking such good care of her in her last years. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in rural Perham. Visitation will begin an hour prior and to also include a Rosary at 10:40 a.m. Burial will be on January 16, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bismarck, ND.

 Please make a donation to the charity of your choice in memory of Mary Helen.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com.