On Saturday, January 20 ^th at 5:48p.m., angels arrived at Circle of Life Hospice, Bentonville, to escort Verlin Gustave Holmstrom on his final journey to his new dwelling place with God and all the saints. His long and arduous journey with Alzheimer's Disease was over as he died peacefully. He fought a brave battle against this disease that eventually stole his memory but not his will or personality.

September 30 ^th , 1926 was a special date for Andres Gustave and Ida Marie Holmstrom as their 6 ^th child, a first son named Verlin Gustave was born in Hastings, MN. Growing up as a farm boy he early on learned to plow, plant, thrash, milk the cows, and all the other chores of farmers. Along with five of his siblings and numerous cousins, he attended a one room school fondly called "Etter Tech" until he entered high school in Hastings. After graduation, the US Army summoned him to duty at Ft Snelling, Minneapolis and to Fort McClellan, Alabama for basic training. WWII was nearing an end as Verlin sailed by US troop ship to assignment at Furstenfeldburk Base, near Munich, Germany. When offered, he transferred to the U.S. Air Force, serving in many places such as: Francis e. Warren AFB, Wyoming; School of Aviation Medicine, Randolph AFB, Texas; Germany assignments at Neubiberg AFB, Munich and Bremerhaven on the North Sea; Luke AFB, Arizona; Tactical Air Command Headquarters at Langley AFB, Virginia; Pacific Air Force Command at Hickam AFB, Hawaii; 23 ^rd Air Division at Duluth, MN; and Bien Hoa Joint Base, Vietnam. Returning to Duluth where his family remained he was assigned to Air Defense Command. Two years later Verlin retired after completing his 30 ^th year of military service. Joining him for his assignments was his wife of 67 years, Jenny, who he met and married at Randolph AFB, Texas.

Verlin completed his college degree by taking classes at colleges and universities as his various assignments permitted, completing his studies at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. After retirement from the Air Force he joined the Internal Revenue Service in Duluth, retiring after 15 years. Fishing, golfing, camping (as long as he didn't sleep on the ground), daily long walks, and reading history were his hobbies. Retirement permitted him to share his gifts and skills as a dedicated volunteer at his church in Duluth and in Bella Vista where he and his wife moved in 1999 seeking a warmer climate.

Verlin was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Linea Pajerski, Lucille Pike, and Clarice Valois; and brothers, Kenneth and Paul Holmstrom.

Survived by his wife Jenny; daughter Katherine Busche (Todd), Bella Vista, AR; son Steven Holmstrom (Laura), Duluth, MN; grandchildren, Sarah Booth (Sam), Denver, CO and Kelly Donatell (Gabe), Flagstaff, Arizona; four great grandsons, Cooper, Brooks, Evan and Owen; sisters, Violet Borner, Hastings, MN, Marjorie (Buddy) Terveen, Donna, Texas, Betty (Loren) Deering, Conroe, Texas and brother James (Margaret), Hastings, MN and many nieces, nephews, and their children.

His family is particularly grateful for the wonderful care Verlin received while a resident of the Arkansas Veteran's Home at Fayetteville and to all the staff, nurses, CNAs, housekeeping, aides, and food preparation staff who cared for him. At times Verlin believed he was the Sergeant Major, giving orders to all, which at times could be corrective but was always followed by "but you do good work". In addition, the loving care given to Verlin and his family by the staff at Northwest Hospital, Springdale and the staff at both Circle of Life in Springdale and Bentonville is much appreciated.

Funeral mass will be held January 25 ^th at St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Bentonville, AR at 11 am, with visitation at 10 am.

Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Veterans Home of Fayetteville, Circle of Life, or to St Stephen's Catholic Church, Bentonville.

On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.