Lauren Maxine "Laurie" Holmes

Lauren Maxine Holmes (née Brokel), known to just about everyone as Laurie, passed away on June 16, 2025, in Thornton, Colorado, just ten days shy of her 74th birthday.

Born June 26, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Annette and Irvin Brokel, Laurie spent her early years in Iowa and Colorado and graduated from Adams City High School in 1969. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Holmes, a proud member of the U.S. Navy.

Their 55-year adventure together was filled with love, laughter, and more relocations than most people see in a lifetime. Thanks to Jim’s naval career, they lived in Guam, Seattle, Hawaii, Spain, Virginia, and Colorado—and no matter where they landed, Laurie made every place feel like home.

Laurie is survived by her husband of 55 years, Jim; her children, Ryan Holmes (Afsoon Ansari) and Sarah Holmes Barba (Jon Barba); her beloved granddaughter, Morgan Barba; and her sister, Jo Meissner. She was preceded in death by her parents, Annette and Irvin Brokel, and her brothers, Doug and Dickey Brokel.

Throughout her life, Laurie held a variety of jobs and brought a strong work ethic and quick wit to each one. She wore many hats over the years, but her favorite by far was being a stay-at-home grandma.

Laurie had a wicked sense of humor, a deep love for animals (especially the small fluffy kind), and a competitive streak that came out any time dice or cards were involved. If you ever played Yahtzee with her, you knew what you were up against.

She fostered countless dogs through the Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu Rescue in Thornton, gave the best shopping advice, and could tell you where to find the best meal in town—especially if she was going with friends.

Laurie was fiercely loyal, hilariously honest, and a master of one-liners.

Laurie will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado at 10 a.m. on August 8—a fitting tribute to a woman who supported her Navy family with grace, grit, and a sharp sense of humor. A celebration of her life will follow from 2 to 4 p.m. at 12540 Racine Street in Henderson, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Laurie’s love of animals with a donation to the Riverdale Animal Shelter (formerly the Adams County Animal Shelter/Adoption Center) at animalshelter.adcogov.org/donate or by mail to 12155 Park Blvd, Brighton, CO 80601.