Jean Marie Holden, Janesville/Orfordville  (1923 - 2009)

July 1, 1923 - November 13, 2009
Jean Marie Holden, 86, passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at Huntington Memory Care in Janesville, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on July 1, 1923, in Janesville, WI, the daughter of Roy and Ella (Hanson) Van Hise. Jean graduated from Janesville High in 1943. She married Robert Holden of Orfordville on Jan. 22, 1944, in Janesville. During the war years, while her husband was overseas, she was employed by Parker Pen and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Jean and her husband lived in Orfordville for more than 30 years, where he was employed by the postal service. During their years in Orfordville, Jean kept busy as a housewife and Cub Scout den mother. She also enjoyed her time working at Woolworth’s dime store and the Nechi Sewing Center in Janesville. After Bob retired, they spent 25 glorious winters in Florida and 25 summers at their cabin in Eagle River, before her illness brought them back to Janesville to be near her family. Jean was a longtime member of the Orfordville Lutheran Church before transferring to Saint John Lutheran Church in Janesville. Jean was a former member of the Orfordville American Legion Auxiliary, where she was a past president.
She is survived by her husband, Robert "Bob"; son, Robert A. Holden Jr. (Vicki) of Janesville; grandson, Robert A. Holden III and great-granddaughter, Hope Holden of Longmont, CO; brother, John (Laurel) Van Hise of Huntington Beach, CA; sister, Joan Widener of Las Vegas; two stepgrandchildren; four stepgreat-grandchildren; a stepgreat-great-grandson; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. She also leaves behind best friends: Bob and Alyce Gunderson, Gen Abrahamson, and Phil and June Gaarder.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert; and sisters: Florence, Dorothy, and Mary.
Funeral services will be held at NEWCOMER-SILVERTHORN CHAPEL ON THE HILL, Highway 11 and South Coon Island Road, Orfordville, at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, with Rev. David Brynelson, HospiceCare Inc., officiating. Friends may call at NEWCOMER-SILVERTHORN CHAPEL ON THE HILL on Monday from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will be in Emerald Grove Cemetery. Newcomer-Silverthorn Chapel on the Hill, Orfordville, (608) 879-2333.