Shirley Ann Holmgren, the card and cookie lady that so many lovingly called Grammie, passed away at the age of 88 on July 22, 2024. She was born to Frank and Helen Jurak in New Haven, Michigan, on June 3, 1936.

The family moved from Michigan to Southern California when Shirley was a girl. She was very active in 4-H and Job’s Daughters. She learned to play the piano with ease, as it was discovered during her older sister’s piano lessons that little Shirley could play by ear. She could also play the accordion. She would play for her own enjoyment and later at church services. She became a Christian as a teen and always had a strong faith.

After high school, she moved to Arcata to attend Humboldt State University. Her plans were to become an elementary school teacher, but her plans changed when she met the love of her life, Kent (Nub) Holmgren. Nub and Shirley were married on December 18, 1955. As she famously loved to say, “Then I had 4 children in 5 years!” Larry, Dan, Russell, and Terri filled their small home in Salyer. In the mid-60s, they moved to Miranda, where they raised their four children.

Shirley was a full-time wife, mother, and homemaker. She gardened, knitted, sewed, and won many ribbons for her canning entries at the Humboldt County Fair. She was an active member of Women In Timber and the Redwood Region Logging Conference. She joined a sorority in Garberville and attended the Lutheran church in Redway. Shirley spent many years watching her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids play sports and always supported any activities they were involved in.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband Nub in 1991, son Larry Holmgren, son Dan Holmgren, daughter Terri Spaulding, son-in-law Buck Tallman, grandson Joshua Holmgren, sister Sally Burris, and Zeb’s mom, Becky Ramsey. Shirley grieved the loss of her husband, a grandchild, a son-in-law, and three of her cherished adult children. Many wondered how she carried on, but she did, without pity or bitterness, always quick to offer condolences to anyone who suffered a loss.

She is survived by her son Russell Holmgren, daughter-in-law Lisa Holmgren, and daughter-in-law Mollie Holmgren. Her grandchildren: Cameron Holmgren, Cassie Holmgren, Zeb (Audrey) Holmgren, Laura (Grant) Rogers, Drew (Heather) Holmgren, Bret (Jena) Holmgren, Jason (Liz) Holmgren, Justin (Sami) Tallman, and Tiffany (Seth) Williams, son-in-law Mike Spaulding, and her 19 great-grandchildren.

Shirley was devoted to letting people know she remembered them, and so many of us received birthday, anniversary, graduation, and other holiday cards in the mail from her. She loved to bake and share cookies with everyone, earning her the nickname “The Cookie Lady.” She was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed by so many.

The family would like to thank Dr. Olkin for many years of love and care, the staff at Sequoia Springs, and the staff at Hospice of Humboldt. Shirley asked to not have a memorial service. She felt we should love and appreciate each other every day in this life and look forward to seeing each other again in the next one. If you would like, you can make a donation to Hospice of Humboldt in honor of Shirley.

###

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Shirley Holmgren’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.