of Long Valley, South Dakota, died on Monday, September 9, 2013 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip at the age of 84
Wanda L. Holcomb joined her Lord and Savior on September 9, 2013. She passed peacefully at the Philip Nursing Home.
Wanda was born September 19, 1928 to Lauritz A. and Iscle W. (Embree) Thomsen on her grandparents’ farmstead near Crookston, Nebraska. She attended Sitting Up School, a one room school situated along Sitting Up Creek, a short walk from the ranch. Wanda attended high school in Wanblee for her freshman year and half of her sophomore year. She transferred to Kadoka where she graduated from high school in 1945 at the age of 16. From 1945 -1955 she worked for the Farm Service Administration (FSA) as a secretary/clerk.
Wanda met the love of her life and carried on a long distance relationship through an avid letter writing campaign while he was in military service in England. She joined Robert Holcomb in marriage on December 30, 1955. They began their married life in Long Valley where Wanda joined Bob in business operating a Standard Oil Service Station. A daughter (Janice) was born in 1957 and a son (Jeff) in 1960. In 1968 Wanda became the postmaster for the United States Post Office in Long Valley where she served until her retirement in 1988.
Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Robert Holcomb of Long Valley; her daughter Janice Fitzgerald and her husband Dean of Philip; her son Jeff Holcomb and his wife Robyn of Sioux Falls; her grandchildren Andy (Laura), Beth, Amanda (Rusty), Abby (Scott), Laurel, Elise, and Lily; two great-grandchildren Max and Lucy; her brother Bert Thomsen of Scottsdale, Arizona; her sister Vera Scharman of Martin; a sister-in-law Mary Thomsen; five nieces; and two nephews.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Allen; a brother-in-law Frank Scharman; a sister-in-law Micki Thomsen; and her niece Susan Thomsen.
Visitation was held Wednesday, September 11 from 5-7 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka, with Father Kevin Achbach as celebrant.
Interment was at the Kadoka Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, September 12, 2013 - 10:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory
Kadoka, South Dakota
CLERGY
Father Kevin Achbach
MUSIC
Robyn Holcomb - Pianist
Aaron Knodle - Vocalist
PALLBEARERS
Paul Gropper - Bob Zickrick
Tom Zickrick - Scott Huber
Dean Fitzgerald - Robert Thomsen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, September 11, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 12, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Interment: Kadoka Cemetery