Holm, Marcel Lewis 1900-1941

HOLM, OLIVE, JACOB

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2022 at 07:52:19

From the Alton Democrat, May 2, 1941 [apparently taken from the Grand Junction, Iowa, Globe]:

Dr. Marcel Holm Passes On At Grand Junction

Marcel Louis Holm, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Holm, was born at Odeboldt, Iowa, on May 17, 1900. He departed this life on Thursday, April 17th, at his home west of Grand Junction, at the age of 49 years and 11 months. He had been seriously ill for about a year, and had just returned home after spending the fall and winter in California in an effort to regain his health.

Dr. Holm was reared in the home of his parents who resided in several towns of northwest Iowa. He was baptized in the German Lutheran Church as a small child. Shortly before he was ready for High School the family moved to Alton, Iowa, and there he was graduated in 1918. In that same year, he went to Iowa City and enlisted in the Students Army Training Corps. After the Armistice was signed, he enrolled in the College of Dentistry at the State University, and received his degree in the spring of 1922.

In September, 1922, Dr. Holm began his practice in Grand Junction. For 18 years he served the people of this whole vicinity in an efficient and genial way. On June 10th, 1925, he was married to Miss Cora Olive. After living within the limits of Grand Junction for many years, they finally moved to the place west of town, which was the home at the time of his death. In addition to his wife, he leaves to mourn his death one brother, Roscoe Holm of Storm Lake, Iowa, and a number of other relatives.

Dr. Holm was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, and Lions Club. He was active in interests of these organizations, and in other community affairs. He was affiliated with the Iowa Dental Society and the American Dental Association, and took pride in measuring up to the requirements of these professional groups. Those who knew Dr. Holm in all these different contacts, share with his family a distinct feeling of loss because of his passing; and with them will long cherish his memory.

Dr. Holm will be sorely missed in Grand Junction where for more than eighteen years he was in the limelight and in the front line at all times where civic improvement was under consideration. As a professional man – the field of dentistry – he had few equals. Pride in his work was a marked characteristic and there are many who will say that he was highly superior in his craftsmanship.

Grand Junction Globe.

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RESEARCH NOTES

His death certificate (informant Cora Holm) has Marcil Lewis Holm; residence, rural 1 mile west and 1/2 mile south of Grand Junction, Greene County, Iowa, resident in that community 20 years; born May 17, 1900 in Iowa; parents Robert Holm, born in Denmark, and Matilda Jacob, born in Iowa; wife Cora Olive Holm; died April 17, 1941; cause, suicide, auto gas, at the home; buried at Scranton, Iowa.

The obituary for his brother Roscoe (who also committed suicide) says Marcel committed suicide after suffering from a brain tumor, apparently caused by financial worries.

His FindaGrave.com page has Dr. M. Holm, 1900-1941, buried in Scranton Township Cemetery, Scranton, Greene County, Iowa. Spouse Cora Olive Holm (1900-1957). There is a photo of their joint headstone, with him as “M. L. Holm.”

Their marriage return has groom Marcel L. Holm, age at next birthday 26, resident of Grand Junction, Iowa, a dentist, born at Odebold, Iowa, parents Robert L. Holm and Matilda Jacobe; bride Luella Cora Olive, age at next birthday 25, resident of Scranton, Iowa, born at Scranton, parents David C. Olive and Luella Corey; married at Scranton June 10, 1925.

His World War I draft registration card (Sept. 1919) has Marcel Lewis Holm, age 18, working as a billing clerk for the C.N.W. Railway at Alton, Iowa; short, medium build, gray eyes, dark brown hair.