Wilma Hazel (Van Diest) Holmes

Mrs. Holmes, 106, of Columbia, MO died January 28, 2023, at Lenoir Woods Care Center.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 pm. at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church in Kansas City.  Visitation will precede the service at noon.    Memorial contributions may be made to Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Holmes was born January 25, 1917 in Prairie View, Kansas.  She was a graduate of Kansas State University and a lifetime alumni member and Wildcat fan.  She married Harvey Gene Holmes after he returned from service in the air force in WW II.  They were married for 50 years.  She was a beloved and faithful member of Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church, a dedicated student of the Bible, a devoted mother and grandmother, a skilled bridge player and musically inclined.  She sang in the church choir for many years and played in the bell choir.  Her steadfast and lively Christian faith was an inspiration to her family and her friends alike. 

She was preceded in death by her  husband, Gene Holmes and granddaughter, Patricia Balwanz.  She is survived by 2 daughters: Linda (Bob) Balwanz of Columbia, MO and Susan Holmes of Shiner, TX; 3 grandchildren:  David (Meredith Fox) Balwanz of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Angela (Tom) Bays of Shiner Texas and Mari (Casey) Daniell of Dallas; and 8 great Grandchildren:  Margot Balwanz Fox, Ryan, Elijah, Agatha, Robert and Thomas Bays, Brecken and Isla Hazel Daniell.