Jeanette Mariah Holmes, age 74, entered into rest on January 28, 2013, at her home in Prosser.
She and her twin sister were born on June 4, 1938 in Lake Andes, South Dakota. She was the eighth of ten children born to Emil and Gladys (Laiser) Olson and was raised at Rocky Acres in Prosser. Jeanette married Russell Holmes Jr. on June 14, 1957 and after living in California for a short time, made their home in Prosser.
Jeanette worked at Disneyland and later, on the processing line at Prosser Pack. She also worked at Benton Ball Funeral Home, as a dispatcher for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and one of the first women to work as an EMT in the valley. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and sister.
Jeanette enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and cruising in their vintage convertibles. She loved spending time with her family and having picnics and parties in her yard. She was a member of the Eagle’s Lodge.
Jeanette is survived by her husband, Rusty; her sons, Gordon Holmes, Darrell Holmes, and Steven Holmes and his wife, Michelle; her daughter, Natalie McCombs and husband, Randy, all of Prosser; her grandchildren, Miranda, Zachary, Logan, Caycee and Wyatt; her great-grandchildren, Spencer and Charlotte; and her pets, Gizmo, Chewie and Dudley. She is also survived by two sisters, Jean Sperry (Jeanette’s twin) and Faye Gefroh and three brothers, Donald, John and Cliff Olson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ole and Syd; and her sisters, Lottie and Leone.
A celebration of her life will be held in early June in her front yard when her flowers are in bloom. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mr. Pebble’s Fund at Prosser Animal Hospital.