The Reverend J. Erik Holmer

Moline, Illinois Services for The Reverend J. Erik Holmer, 88, formerly of Moline, well-known Lutheran Minister, are 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 28, 2001, at Salem Lutheran Church, Moline. Bishop Gary Wollersheim and The Reverends Mark, Paul and Jonathan Holmer will officiate. Visitation is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Trimble Funeral Home, Moline. Burial is in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may made to Salem Lutheran Church, Moline, First Lutheran Church, Moline, or St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Davenport. Rev. Holmer died Monday, December 17, 2001, in Kossuth Regional Health Center, Algona, Iowa, following a short illness. Johan Erik Holmer was born on May 16, 1913 at Kodiakanal, India to Thure and Celia (Bjork) Holmer. Erik received his education in Kodaikanal schools and graduated from Kodaikanal High School. He lived in India until age 19 when he moved to the United States and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where he graduated in 1936. In 1940, Erik graduated from Augustana Seminary. He met Anita Rae Wahlen while attending Augustana College and the couple was married on July 5, 1941 in Gary, Indiana. Erik served in various Parishes: at Salem Lutheran Church in Creston, Iowa from 1940 - 1945; at Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, New York from 1945 - 1952 and at Salem Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois from 1952 until retirement in 1979. He served as visitation pastor at First Lutheran Church, Moline, from 1979 to 1993, as interim pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Princeton, Illinois from 1988 - 1993, and as visitation pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa from 1994 to 1997. In April 2001, Erik moved to Algona, Iowa to be near his son Rev. Dr. Mark Holmer who had taken a new call to Algona from Davenport, Iowa. Erik had been a Kiwanian for 60 years, was past president of the Moline Ministerial Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Tuberculosis Association in Rock Island County, and had served on committees of the former Illinois Synod of the ELCA. Erik enjoyed working in his woodworking shop as well as with roses and flowers. Erik enjoyed visiting with people, traveling and occasionally watching a football game, either in person or on television. Survivors include his children, Rev. Dr. Mark E. Holmer and his wife Linnea of Algona, Iowa, Rev. Paul Holmer and his wife Christine of Northwood, Iowa, and Dr. Shari Holmer-Lewis and her husband Samuel of Evanston, Illinois. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Krista Lane and her husband Wesley of Berwyn, Illinois, Kaia Gale and her husband Aaron of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sarah Holmer of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Rachel Lewis of Evanston, Illinois, as well as two great grandchildren, Anita and Jacob Lane, and one sister Ruth Friberg and her husband Rev. Dr. Daniel of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Erik was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anita on April 10, 1994 and three brothers. This memorial may be viewed, and condolences sent to the family, at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. END OF OBITUARY