Shirley Elaine Holzer Obituary (2024)

Shirley Elaine Holzer, 94, of Yakima, WA passed away peacefully at Covenant House surrounded by her family on August 7, 2024. Shirley was born on August 24, 1929, to Lorenz and Cecile (Donovan) Hunziker at St. Elizabeth Hospital, in Yakima, WA. Shirley attended St. Paul Grade School and St. Joseph Academy. Upon graduation from high school in 1947 she attended Yakima Business College to learn her lifelong love of bookkeeping. Her first job was at Smith Cook Furniture, where she met her future husband Leo J. Holzer. They were married on June 2, 1951, at St. Paul Cathedral Church and enjoyed 67 years of marriage before Leo passed in March of 2018. Shirley and Leo raised seven children and their entire life was dedicated to family and friends. They loved attending the many sporting events of their children and grandchildren from grade school through high school. In their early marriage they belonged to a bowling league, German Dance Club, Parents Club and their monthly Potluck group which lasted over 60 years until they were all too tired to cook and couldn't follow the recipes anyway! This was a highlight for all the families when it was their turn to host. The laughter of these couples went on for hours. Mom and dad loved camping and spent many wonderful vacations with their children and family friends at Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon. These are some of the most wonderful memories for the family. During retirement, they also spent many years traveling with their trailer. Two of Shirley's most memorable trips were to Rome and Medjugorje. After her youngest started school, Shirley began her career of bookkeeping at US Bank, formerly known as Bank of Yakima and Peoples Bank, retiring after 19 years. Her retirement was short-lived when Fr. Murtagh convinced Shirley to come and help with the bookkeeping at Holy Family Church for a few months. A few months turned into 27 years and she retired again at the young age of 87. If there is one thing mom loved more than being a wife, mother, and grandmother it was bookkeeping, it brought her so much joy! Shirley was very active in her church as a Eucharistic Minister, an Altar Society member, money counter and was involved in endless fundraisers at St. Paul and Carroll High Schools. She was a lifetime member of Young Ladies Institute from the age of 21 along with her mother. Her love of games is legendary! Card games, board games, yard games, and mini golf; she could play nonstop. She would always say at the beginning of any game "can we play another one after this?" She also enjoyed going to Legends, Vegas and Reno. Mom's loving nature, beautiful smile and always-positive attitude will be missed. She was an exceptional mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her faith was at the forefront of her life and was exhibited in everything she did. She will be deeply missed by John (Cyndi), Greg (Deborah-deceased), Jaci, Kevin, Dan (Karen), Doreen and Mary (Robert), her brother Howard Hunziker and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Leo and son Timothy. Thank you to Covenant House and Del Miles, caregivers Katy, Kris, Holly, Alma, Jessica and Andrea. We have had loving care for the last two years of her life and are very grateful. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, August 13th at 5:00pm with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 5:15pm followed by a Vigil Service at 6:00pm, all held at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W. Prospect, Moxee, WA 98936). Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 14th at 10:00am at St. Paul Cathedral followed by a reception in Fr. Murtagh Gathering Hall at Holy Family Church. A Graveside Service will follow at 2:00pm at Calvary Cemetery, Yakima. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the MS Society, the National Down Syndrome Society, or LaSalle High School in Yakima in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936), who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.