Vernon Edward Holle

So God made a Farmer...

That was our dad’s favorite tribute from Paul Harvey, a daily standard in our house at lunch time. God

called one of his best home on October 11, 2023, and with deep sorrow and loss, we will miss our husband, father,

grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend Vernon Edward Holle. Vern was born November 20,

1942 to the late Edward and Louise (Schilling) Holle, raised on the family farm in Eau Claire.

On November 9, 1963 he married Sharon Kublick and together they worked growing apples, peaches,

tomatoes, cucumbers which was a small fraction of the produce that could be found at Holle Orchards.

They also raised three tractor drivers on the side.

Dad enjoyed traveling with friends to fruit and vegetable trade shows all over the United States and also

abroad with the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association. He never stopped learning and brought that

knowledge home to incorporate on the land that he loved. Flying was a favorite pastime and he took to

the skies whenever he could. He looked forward to attending tractor pulls with his buddies and most

proud of the recently restored first tractor that his parents bought for the farm. This 1938 Massey Harris

gave Grandpa Holle many headaches and dad thought grandpa must be grinning from “ear to ear”

watching that little red tractor cross the Mighty Mac twice and becoming a “centerfold” in Legacy

Quarterly publication. He was a long-time member of Grace Lutheran Church in Eau Claire and for many

years, held different seats as a Pipestone Township council member.

Dad’s greatest enjoyment was farming and watching his grandkids play sports at Michigan Lutheran, St.

Joe and South Haven. He and mom would pack the game truck with whomever would join.

Dad’s favorite motto was “Never give up!” and he never did. He never met a root beer float that he

didn’t like and fries from McDonald’s were always the best. We miss you Dad, but we are so happy that

you’re walking through heaven’s orchards with Jesus, in awesome wonder and catching up with past

friends.

Vernon is survived by his wife of nearly sixty years, Sharon. Daughters Becky (Jim) Hardin, Kelly (Tom)

Lyons and Leslie (Darren) Priebe. Nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two sisters Marylin

(Lou) Rosenbaum, Cora (Rob) Howland.

Visitation will be held Friday October 20, 2023 at Grace Lutheran Church, 6605 Pipestone St., Eau Claire

Mi 49111, from 10:00 am until the time of the church service at 11:00 am with a dinner to follow.

Following Vern’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private burial in Shanghai Cemetery will be at a

later date.

Memorial contributions in Vern’s honor may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Eau Claire or Hanson

Hospice Center, 4382 Cleveland Ave, Stevensville MI 49127. Arrangements have been entrusted to

Bowerman Funeral Home, Eau Claire.