Vance Harold Holbrook 1918 - 2014 South Dakota - Montana

Harold Holbrook
BIRTH
30 Jul 1918
Milbank, Grant County, South Dakota, USA
DEATH
11 Apr 2014 (aged 95)
Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
BURIAL
Burial Details Unknown
MEMORIAL ID
127887465 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 1
FLOWERS 1
Vance Harold Holbrook, 95, passed away April 11, 2014, in Billings. He was born July 30, 1918, in Milbank, S. D., to Weslay R. and Emma Holbrook, the third of four sons.

Vance served in the US Army from 1941 to 1945 in the Third Infantry. Though never wounded, Vance saw some of the most severe combat in all of WWII. He made five different beach landings, marched across northern Africa, sailed to Sicily, on to Italy where he fought at Anzio, marched across Europe ending up in Berchtesgaden, Germany.

Upon his return he followed in his father's footsteps, going to work for Standard Oil. He eventually went to work for Mutual of New York and finally with Colonial Life Insurance. He continued working well into his 80's.

Vance was an Eagle Scout, and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fisherman and in his younger days he loved to hunt pheasants while using his boys as his "bird dogs." He never missed a chance in the spring to stop along the country roads to pick wild asparagus. Vance spent several years as "Santa Claus" at Rimrock Mall. He was their first Santa and brought joy to hundreds of children.

Vance was a true gentleman, a hero to his children and grandchildren. He truly was a member of the "Greatest Generation." He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Margaret; his daughters Mary Catherine and Mary Louise; his daughter-in-law Mary Kay; grandson Michael Anthony Holbrook; and two brothers.

His is survived by his brother Gale Holbrook and family in Rapid City, S.D.; his children John, Dan (Bonnie), Kathy Petersen and Bob. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great- grandchild on the way.

A vigil will be held Monday evening. April 14, 7 p.m. at Dahl Funeral Chapel. For those interested, the Rosary will precede the vigil at 6:30 p.m. The Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society.

Memories may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com


Family Members
Spouse
Mary Margaret Klima Holbrook
1918–2002 (m. 1941)

Children

John Michael Holbrook
1946–2022