Bill Holman Passes

Great Grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth Ducklow

(Published January 2, 2011)

Bill Holman, who lived his entire life in Fargo, North Dakota, died on December 29, 2010. Bill was son of Anna Ostenson Holman and was the grandson of Lucinda and Gunder Ostenson.  His obituary follows:

William “Bill” Holman age 76, Fargo, North Dakota, resident of Bethany Towers II Living Center, passed away on December 29, 2010. He was under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.  

William Alan Holman was born in Fargo, North Dakota October 26, 1934 to Anna Elizabeth (Ostenson) and Willard William Holman. As a young boy he was very active in sports. Bill played hockey, baseball and football. In the ninth grade Bill and Roger Maris were teammates on the Roosevelt Junior High School football team. Bill was also a teammate of Roger Maris’ on the 1951 American Legion Post #2 baseball team as a pitcher.  Bill graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1952. While attending North Dakota State University, Bill worked at the NDSU experiment station. In January 1955, he joined the United States Army. He took his infantry training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Several months later he left for Europe. He was stationed in Germany and France. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bill was discharged January 1, 1958. Bill was also a member of the North Dakota Air National Guard 178th Fighter Squadron for two years.

Bill started working for Northern Drug Company in July 1958. He then left Northern Drug Company in March of 1969 to begin working at the NDSU Varsity Mart in April of 1969. He retired from NDSU March 31, 1997.

Bill was a member of the American Legion Post #2, AMVETS, Pheasants Forever, NDSU Team Makers Club, and Gethsemane Cathedral. Bill was an avid pheasant hunter and outdoorsman. Bill enjoyed lake time in the summer with his brothers and spending time with nieces and nephews for birthdays, holidays and special occasions.

Thanks to Dr. Glenn Mastel and Dr. Michael Segal, Sanford Medical Center, Bethany Homes and Hospice of the Red River Valley employees. You were all special to Bill.

Visitation: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 3, Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND.  Funeral: 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 4 with visitation one hour prior, Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo, ND

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND

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Alois Ducklow, Jr., Passes

[Published November 28, 2010]
[Updated November 30, 2010]

Alois "Al" Ducklow, Jr., age 71, of Menomonie, died unexpectedly on Friday, Nov. 25, 2010, at his home in Menomonie. [Editor: He was 70.]

Al was born May 22, 1940, the son of Alois and Betty (Van Nortwick) Ducklow in Gilman Township, Pierce County. He grew up in the Spring Valley area and attended Spring Valley Schools, graduating with the Class of 1958.

After high school Al worked at Madson Lumber in Spring Valley until about 1963. He worked at Spring Valley Elevator for Floyd Klanderman for more than 10 years and then worked for Standard Battery in St. Paul, Minn., until retiring.

On May 25, 1963, Al married Lorraine O'Bryan at the Elmwood Methodist Church. They were blessed with two children: Lori and Mike. They lived in the Spring Valley area until moving to Menomonie in 1993 after retiring. He and Lorraine were caretakers for Memorial Heights Apartments for 17 years.

Al's favorite pastime was going to his brother's cabin at Grand Rapids, Minn., and spending as much time as he could with a fishing pole in his hand. He also enjoyed reading, puttsin' around the garage, and most of all spending time with his kids and grandchildren, who meant the world to him.

Preceding him in death were his parents and grandparents.

He is survived by his wife Lorraine of Menomonie; his daughter and son: Lori (John) Songs and Mike (Yvonne) Ducklow all of Boyceville; two grandchildren, Michelle (Travis) Swenby of Wheeler and Troy Butler of Glenwood City; three great-granddaughters, Emily, Amy and Brandy Swenby; two step-grandsons, Shane Songs and John Songs III; four step-great-grandchildren; five brothers, Richard (Shirley) Ducklow of Glenwood City, Gerald (Collette) Ducklow of Spring Valley, Steven (Bonnie) Ducklow of Amery, Robert (Mary) Ducklow of Spring Valley and Duane (Mary) Ducklow of Spring Valley; two brothers-in-law, Bob (Bella) O'Bryan and Walter (Ann) O'Bryan Jr.; one sister, Betty Bohn and her friend Randolf Firman [Freeman]; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Visitation was on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. and followed by the service at the Congregational Church in Spring Valley with Rev. Jeff Holton officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Spring Lake Cemetery, Spring Valley.

Pallbearers were his five brothers and cousin Fred Schmoker.

Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley handled arrangements.

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