Alma Jenita Holden was born November 2, 1927, in Merriam, Kansas, to Charles G. and Viola May (Ellis) Weller. She passed away on March 8, 2025, in Cabool, Missouri at the age of 97.
Alma is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Viola Weller; husband, John Vernon Holden; infant son, Danny Dewayne Holden; two brothers, Dean Weller and Richard Weller; sister, Fern Tate; and sons-in-law, Skip Thompson and Lori Klemstein.
Survivors include her children, Deanna Thompson of Mountain Grove, MO, Joanne Holden Klemstein of Cabool, MO, Debbie Holden of Battlefield, MO and Jinger (Matt) Ilgenfritz of Springfield, MO; grandchildren, Lori (Joey) Golden of Mountain Grove, MO, Toby (Erin) Thompson of Mountain Grove, MO, Lisa (Andy) Stubblefield of Cuba, MO, Tamah Vega of CA, Thaddius (Jennifer) Coleman of CO, Jina Ilgenfritz of Rogersville, MO and Kristy Ilgenfritz of Springfield, MO; 19 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Alma Holden was raised during the hardest of times in the Great Depression. Growing up, she worked with her mother and sister in a little cafe where she helped bake pies and cobblers. Later on, they all owned and operated a laundromat. Alma loved school and education but only made it to 8th grade due to the hardships of the Great Depression. She also loved calligraphy and drawing so perfectly. She always neatly decorated cakes and seasonal cards for every person, every occasion. Cards were not the only thing decorated: her house was meticulous, her cars were shined up, her hair, makeup, clothes, and jewelry were always perfect, and she applied that same passion in her cooking! Quilts were one of her most favorite works of art, and coffee was her most favorite drink! Alma also had horses, dogs, cats, a chicken, and a parakeet who was eventually snatched by one of the cats. She was typically surrounded by others, from family and friends coming over, to customers at the Shell Station. She truly enjoyed canning food, picking wild berries to make jam, raking and burning leaves to maintain her land, and driving down the dirt roads she knew like the back of her hand. Eventually, she fell in love with puzzle books, talking about memories, and continued journalling throughout her entire life.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View, Missouri, with Rev Duane Crewse officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. also at the funeral home. Interment will be in Old City Cemetery, Mountain View. Memorial Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
