Thelma "Babe" Holmen

Thelma “Babe” Harriet Holmen, 85, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at her home in Dexter surrounded by family after a battle with cancer. She was born August 11, 1933 in Beaver Township, Minnesota to Ernest and Mabel (Osterhus) Stockdale.  She was born and raised on her family farm and was the youngest of six children. Thelma was baptized on January 10, 1935 in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She attended country school in Beaver Township and graduated from LeRoy High School in 1951. After her parents’ divorce, she helped to take care of the family farm with her brother, Glenn. Thelma was united in marriage to Donald Holmen on April 16, 1955 in Lime Springs, Iowa and together they had four children. She owned a farm and a bar with her husband; later working several different jobs while raising her family. She liked gardening, cooking, listening to country music, playing cards and traveling with her friends and family. Thelma also enjoyed raising farm animals and had a lifelong passion for horses.

She is survived by her husband, Donald; son, Wade (Weng) Holmen of Austin, MN, daughters, Terraine Holmen (Wade Christenson) of Austin, MN, Kim Christianson of Marshfield, WI; twelve grandchildren, Natasha (Justin) Loeding, Ashley (Alan) Moriarity, Nathaniel Holmen, Aric Holmen, Damien Christenson, Loretta Christenson, David Christianson, Amanda Christianson, Elizabeth Christianson, Tyler Christianson, Faith Holmen, Marriane Holmen; nine great-grandchildren, Aidan, Lily, Lucas, Emma, and Sophia Moriarity, Madelyn and Evelynn Holmen, Jonas and Elliott Garcia; and many nieces and nephews. Thelma was preceded in death by her infant son, Donald Holmen Jr; parents; sisters, Evelyn Eiffler, Margaret Anderson; brothers, Louis Stockdale, Vernon Stockdale, and Glenn Stockdale.

At this time, a private family gathering will be held to celebrate her life with a funeral to be held in the spring. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.