Shirley M. Holmes, 85, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 following a brief illness.

A native of Nebraska, she was born on May 22, 1927 and lived her early years in Sterling, CO, and her teenage years in Los Angeles, CA. She married William R. (Bill) Holmes on Valentine's Day, 1947, and moved to San Luis Obispo, CA. Following Bill's graduation from Cal Poly in 1950, they settled in Escalon in 1951 and together started Holmestead Dairy. Their close partnership in the family business was recognized by the community in 1981 when she and Bill became the first couple ever to be honored as Escalon's "Farmer of the Year."

A member of Escalon Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years, Shirley was active in the leadership of the church and its Presbyterian Women association on both the local and regional levels. She was a leader for many years in Farm Bureau Women, the Van Allen 4-H Club, and Van Allen Mothers' Club, and for 40 years volunteered at Memorial Hospital. She and her husband Bill loved to travel, and in the space of three decades pulled their travel trailer through 49 states, every Canadian province, and Mexico.

Survivors include her siblings, Ronald (Joan) Rasmussen of Vancouver, WA and Marietta (Ron) Robbins of Clinton, IA; her children, Michael (Molly) Holmes, Shoreview, MN, Susan (Darryl) Strand, Salinas, Steven (Jennifer) Holmes, Escalon and Robert (Teresa) Holmes, Escalon; grandchildren Eric (Lauren) Holmes, Escalon, Jenni (Paul) Wiltz, Pilot Hill, CA, Laura (Mike) Schnack, West Sacramento, Dennis (Tiffany) Holmes, Escalon, Coby (Jason) Cho, Escalon, Sara Strand, Monterey, Marcie Holmes, Portland, OR, and Lauren Biggs, San Francisco; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl V. and Mildred Rasmussen; and her husband of 60 years, William R. (Bill) Holmes.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Escalon Presbyterian Church, 1612 First St., Escalon, with lunch to follow in the social hall. In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to the Escalon Presbyterian Church Building Fund. For condolences to the family, visit their website at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

Feb. 27, 2013