Joan Gilchrist Holm Dvorak

Joan Gilchrist Holm Dvorak: Joan passed away Saturday morning at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City at the age of 77 years, 3 months and 23 days. Joan's family includes her husband, Marvin of Oskaloosa; a son, Doug Holm of Corpus Christi, TX; daughters and sons-in-law: Mary and Larry Veenstra of Oskaloosa Jan and Marty Langel of Cedar Rapids, IA; Cindy and Steve Muhl of Sedona, AZ and Debi and Mike Gifford of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren: Alisha Muhl, Ashley Muhl, Lacey Veenstra, Brooke Veenstra, Heather Holm, Wesley Holm and Taylor Langel; sisters: Mary Freeman of Seattle, WA; Ellen Carl of Albia; and Frances (Merle) Kennedy of Oskaloosa; and brothers: Don (Fern) Gilchrist of Alexandria, KY and John (Betty) Gilchrist of Seattle, WA. Joan Gilchrist was born January 24, 1931 near Barnes City, Iowa to George and Maud Hoskins Gilchrist. The family moved from the Barnes City area to Rose Hill when Joan was nine years old. She graduated from Rose Hill High School in 1949 and then attended Iowa Success Business School in Ottumwa and graduated in 1951. She began her working career as a secretary at McCurdy Seed and later worked at Mahaska State Bank. September 5, 1955, she married Carl Keith Holm in Oskaloosa. They made their home in Oskaloosa and to this union her three children were born, Doug, Mary and Jan. While her children were young, Joan devoted herself to caring for her family. Carl passed away May 9, 1968. Joan married Marvin Dvorak March 9, 1972 and they too made their home in Oskaloosa. While her children were young, she was active in their activities such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and their sports events. Joan enjoyed fishing, gardening and baking and then sharing her produce and baked goods with her family and friends. She was an avid Cubs fan and also enjoyed college sports, playing pitch and cribbage. Joan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she had served as a deacon, she will be remembered as a devoted member. She was also a member of Order of the Eastern Star. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Carl Holm; a sister, Marge Bussey; and three brothers: Dean, Bob and George Gilchrist. PDF Printable Version

Joan Gilchrist Holm Dvorak

January 24, 1931 - May 17, 2008