Shirley Ann Holder

Shirley Ann Holder passed away in Arvada, Colorado on November 17, 2025, at the age of 94. She was born on September 27, 1931, in Imperial, Nebraska to Roy and Minnie (Cannon) Skewes. Her parents lived on a farm near Champion, Nebraska, and the day of Shirley’s birth her mother had spent that whole day doing her usual farm chores. Only after milking the cows and preparing dinner for the family did the 43-year-old Minnie agree to go to the Imperial hospital. Shirley was born shortly after her mother checked in.

Shirley had three older brothers, one older sister, and one younger sister, all of whom predeceased her. She spent her childhood on the family farm, where she learned firsthand about nature and animal behavior, particularly from the farm dogs and cats, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and guinea fowl. While Shirley always had chores to do, her mother would not let her milk the cows for fear that she would get big knuckles on her hands.

Shirley attended Imperial High School, graduating in 1949. She went to Colorado Women’s College in Denver, Colorado for two semesters, then married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Holder. The couple raised three children: Cathy, Steve and Carol.

Because Richard worked for the National Park Service, the couple lived in four national park service units, and at central administrative offices in Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia and Denver, Colorado. As she did throughout his career, Shirley was firmly by Richard’s side when they were chosen for a two-year assignment to Saudi Arabia, where he worked as an advisor to help that country develop their own national park system. She relished her experiences living in places so different than the Nebraska farm and especially learning about the Arabian culture at a time when Saudi Arabia was particularly isolated.

Shirley loved to travel. In addition to all the places they lived, she and Richard took car trips to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, as well as western Europe. In retirement they travelled on 13 cruises around the world to all seven continents and 55 countries, including Africa five times, and South America five times. Her favorite places included Lapland, Russia, China, India, Africa and Antarctica.

Shirley was an accomplished pianist. She played the organ and piano for some of the churches she attended and often was asked to play at parties. She refused a job offer from a restaurant because she valued her weekend family time. She was also a dedicated bridge player and participated in regional competitions. She often said that she had “a wonderful, full life doing what I loved most.”

Shirley was deeply devoted to family. She is survived by daughters Catherine Holder Spude (Robert) of Santa Fe, New Mexico and Carol Ann Holder of Anchorage, Alaska, as well as granddaughter Kinsey Anne Spude of the metropolitan Seattle, Washington area. She has left numerous nieces and nephews who remember her as always attractive, gregarious, and cheerful.

The family wishes to acknowledge the team of caregivers at the Nightingale Suites Assisted Living facility in Arvada, Colorado, where she spent her last few years. They are also extremely grateful for the care team at Abode Hospice, which eased the last few months of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be given at 10:00 am, April 24, 2026, at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Avenue, Arvada, CO. Sympathy for the family may be addressed to Carol Holder, PO Box 90804, Anchorage, AK 99509.