Oscar LaVerne 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 head stone, 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 and both graduated in 1935. He went on to attend Luther College and returned to marry his high school sweet heart, 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 in 1982. Founding member of Living Savior Lutheran Church of Springdale, Rotary Club of Springdale (oldest living). He enjoyed sports and music; he was on Austin high school state basketball team, and also played football, baseball and ran track. Played clarinet in the Luther College band that was sent to perform in Norway. After high school and college, he played on the Hormel Packers baseball team.
Oscar is preceded in death by his father, Oscar Edwin Holleque; mother, Nellie Maria (Carlson) Holleque; sisters, Marian and Delpha (holleque) preus ‘41; and brother, Richard HOLLEQUE ‘43.
Oscar and Irene are survived by Oscar E. (Gene) Holleque and wife Joyce of Arlington, Texas; 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.
Memorial donations may be made to Hoflanda Cemetery Association, 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”
