Florence Louise “Weezie” Hollis
February 21, 1925- June 25, 2021

Our beloved mom, grandma, great-grandma and great-great-grandma passed over the bridge peacefully at home surrounded in love by her family. Love, comfort and laughter were gifts she gave to everyone to the very end. She was so deeply loved by all who knew her.

She made it clear that she was ready to go and she had no fear. She did not want us to be sad. She expressed what a long, great life she had and how happy her family always made her. Our mom was able to tell so many of us, individually, how much she loved us and loved her life. She shared personal stories with those who were fortunate enough to visit her on her final days. She was alert, grateful, funny, and sentimental with each and everyone. What a powerful gift she left us. What a joy she was to the end.

And boy, did she love going to the casino! “It’s the only thing I really like to do,” she would say. But, she also enjoyed football (especially the 49er’s!), car races, growing her own roses, dinner at the Elks Lodge on Rib Night or Cook Your Own Steak Night, Chinese food (and she’s forever missed Shang Hai Lo!), watching her favorite TV shows on the couch and in her robe (Days of Our Lives,The Price is Right, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, The Golden Girls). She had an extensive doll collection, her favorite being Shirley Temple. As a child, she always wanted to sing and dance like Shirley Temple.

Oh, did she love handsome men and flirting! She would flirt with all of our male friends when we were growing up, and then again with her grandkids male friends. Everywhere she went, she did not miss a good lookin’ fellow. She could barely talk on the phone from the hospital in Santa Rosa, but she would manage to tell us about her handsome nurses, therapists or doctors.

It would be difficult to not love Louise. She worked in Parking Enforcement with EPD for 20 years, and wrote many parking tickets while making friends. Most of those unfortunate ticket recipients loved her as well. Some may even have thanked her for the ticket. And if you were a handsome young man? It would not go unnoticed.

Some of her happiest memories are her days at EPD. She made many new long lasting friendships. Thank you Suzie Owsley, Fran Argo, Jan Gillespie, Diana Rocha, Marsha Allen and Erin McBride for loving her. I know I didn’t capture all of you, but you know who you are.

Mom was preceded in death by our dad, Richard “Dick” Hollis, her daughter Laura Hollis, her sons Bill Karr and Jim Hollis, her grandsons Ted Hollis and Les Pickrell, and her extra special friend Sylvester Barns. “Syl” and mom made many happy memories together after our dad passed.

When our sister, Laura, passed in 2007, she and her nine-year-old son, Andrew, were living with mom. Mom continued to raise, love, and absolutely adore her grandson Andrew. She looked out for him until the very end of her life making us promise to take care of him. She was very proud of him, and if you ever had a conversation with Louise, she would tell you his whole life story, even his birth weight, which became a bit of a family joke! (1 lb. 4 oz. , if you missed it)! She loved and was so very proud of all of her grandkids, great, and great great! She did not miss an opportunity to express her love for her family.

She leaves behind nine children (we were forever her babies, but we’re old now!): Son, Bob Karr of Winlock, Washington and his 4 children and 14 grandchildren; Son, Dan Karr of Redding, Ca and his 4 children and 2 grandchildren; Daughter, Nancie Bartlett of Alliance, Ohio and her 4 children and 5 grandchildren; Son, Gary Hollis of Ocean Park, Washington and his 2 children (Tammy Hollis and Gary Hollis Jr.) and 3 grandchildren; Son, Fred Hollis of Cloverdale CA. and his 2 children (Zena, Steven)and grandchildren Brady, Savannah, Steven, Daniel, and Raina; Daughter, Diana Freeman of Eureka and 2 children, Todd (great grandchildren Hanna Sample (Joey) , Kendra Powell (Kirk), and great great grandchildren Paige and Blake Sample and Sophia Powell; Krista Freeman (great grand children Jared Ausbun and Kaylee (Ryan)Truby and great great granddaugher, Nevaeh Truby; Daughter, Linda Wilson (Sean) of Eureka and grandchildren Jodi Walp, great grandchildren Myra Saechao and Kaiven Saechao, Kerri walp and great granddaughter Svea Boynton; Bethany Braud (Travis) of Redding Ca, and great grand children Talya Braud, Aaden Braud, and Declyn Braud; Son, Rick Hollis (Denise Jenson) of Cloverdale and grandchildren Carli Hollis and Alana Hollis; Daughter, Peggy Hollis of Arcata and granddaughter Olivia Arnold; Granddaughter, Tracy Hollis Hart of Redding and great grandchildren Zack Hart and Emilee Hart of Georgia; Andrew Hollis of Eureka (grandson she considered her son because she raised him (remember? 1 lb. 4 oz.).

She also leaves behind her two brothers and a sister — Ivan Nolan, Don Nolan and Darlene Fontaine, all from Washington state. She loved them with all of her heart and they always kept in touch with their big sis.

Louise had many, many nieces and nephews that she adored as well and they always referred to her as “Aunt Weezie.”

Her life was full of special friends, but our family would like to acknowledge and thank one very special friend , Penny Hughes, a blessing in her life who mom considered a daughter. Penny stayed with mom almost 24/7 for the past year when it became apparant mom should not be alone at night. She cooked, cleaned, and cared for her with enthusiasm and empathy. The best part, though, is SHE TOOK MOM TO THE CASINO ALMOST 2 TIMES, EVERY WEEK! That made mom happier than any of us could. None of us could compete with the fun mom had with Penny. They were two peas in a pod. We will be forever grateful to Penny for making mom’s last year the happiest it could be.

Friends are invited to attend her services at Sanders Funeral home at 1835 E St., Eureka, Thursday, July 8th at 1 pm with Interment at Ocean View Cemetery , then conclude with a celebration of her life at a location that will be announced at the service. There will be hors d’oeuvres and a “no host bar.” Our family is looking forward to seeing all the people who loved her and have memories and stories to share. Please join us to celebrate this most amazing lady.

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