Obituary - Catherine Rhea (Craig) Holman
Holman, Catherine Rhea "Katie"
May 26, 1919 - Jan. 9, 2005
A memorial gathering for Catherine "Katie" Holman, 85, of Lakeside, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Lakeshore Lodge in Lakeside. Cremation rites have been held.
Katie was born May 26, 1919, in Spokane, Wash., the daughter of Rex Reginald and Margaret (Doehring) Craig. She died Jan. 9, 2005, in Coos Bay.
After the death of Katie's father, her mother married Dan Peterson. He had three children and there were four children in Katie's family. In this blended family, all siblings were very close, even as adults. Katie was adored by her family and so many close friends, some who go back to her grade school years. Katie had three friends from high school with whom she kept in very close contact with throughout their lives. Wherever she went, new and endearing friendships were formed.
Katie's father insisted on all seven of his children having a college education. In 1940, Katie graduated from Eastern Washington College of Education with a four-year degree in education.
She and her first husband, Harry Erickson, moved to Colville, Wash., where she taught second grade. They then moved to Cheney, where she taught grades 1-4 in a two-room school house. During World War II, they moved to San Diego, where Katie also taught school. Their next move was to Eugene with their new son, Joe Lee. Katie's last long distance move was to Coos Bay, where she taught at Millicoma Middle School. She finished her teaching career at Millicoma in 1982. Her summers were spent running the booking office of a charter boat run by her husband prior to his death.
In June 1984, Katie was married to Dr. Ovie Robert "Bob" Holman. Katie and Bob enjoyed traveling and socializing. She introduced Bob to so many of her wonderful friends and relatives. They enjoyed the company of many of these people throughout their marriage.
Katie's son, Joe, had moved to Indonesia to work as a millwright. He met and married his Indonesian wife, Merry. Joe died in the early 1990s. Katie and Merry developed a special relationship and Merry was able to visit at Katie's home in Lakeside several times. Katie also had a special relationship with Bob's oldest daughter, Judy, and thought of Judy and her family as her own.
Katie was a source of fun and she enjoyed getting together with groups of people. She was always thinking of others, and she will be remembered always, by those whose lives she touched.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Ovie R. Holman of Lakeside; daughter-in-law, Merry Erickson of Indonesia; sister, Mary Hinzeman of Camino, Calif.; two stepsons; five stepdaughters; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
The family suggests memorial contributions to the Lakeside Library, P.O. Box R, Lakeside, OR 97449; or the Lakeside Senior Center in care of the City of Lakeside, Lakeside, OR 97449.
Cremation rites and arrangements are under the direction of Nelson's Bay Area Mortuary, 267-4216.