Blanche Elizabeth Holmes, 96 of Keokuk, IA died Thursday, December 1, 2022 at the Montrose Health Center in Montrose, IA.
She was born August 25, 1926 in Swan Township in Warren County, IL the daughter of Virgil and Maude Kissick Parsons.
On December 12, 1942 Blanche was united in marriage to Leroy Holmes in Kahoka, MO. He preceded her in death.
Blanche had been employed by the Keokuk Convalescent Center as a CNA and then at Keokuk Area Hospital for over twenty years.
Blanche had a green thumb and grew beautiful flowers in her garden. She enjoyed bluegrass, polka and old country music. Blanche loved to cook and bake. She had a special rolling pin she loved to use and was famous for her meatloaf. Blanche was an avid reader, bowled on several leagues through the years and will be remembered for her feisty and sassy but classy personality. Blanche also enjoyed shopping and had amazing taste and always seemed to pick out the most expensive items. Most of all, Blanche loved her grandchildren and treasured the time she spent with them.
She is survived by two daughters, Marsha Holmes of Muscatine, IA and Janice Appleget (Lynn) of Sigourney, IA, two sons, Robert Holmes of Keokuk and Ronnie Holmes of Burlington, IA, nineteen grandchildren, forty-one great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Harold Parsons of Holliday, TX and two sisters, Linda Walker of Monmouth, IL and Francis McCormick of Collinsville, IL.
Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Sharon Brooks, one grandson, Brian Holmes, two great-great-grandchildren, JayLynn Francis and Annabelle Sackman and eight siblings, Norman Parsons, Charles Parsons, Evelyn Rogers, Carol Mahoney, Raymond Parsons, Lila Taylor, Alice Hollingsworth and Susie McGann.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA. Burial will be in the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Keokuk.
Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11 a.m., Thursday at the funeral home with family meeting with friends at that time.
Memorials may be made to Wreaths Across America.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.
