Kathleen E. Hollman

Kathleen (Katie) Elizabeth Hollman, 88, of Lake City, passed away peacefully following a brief illness, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus in Rochester. Katie will be remembered as being happy with life, calm, and easy-going. Her uplifting personality and warm presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Katie was born in Lake City, MN on April 20, 1935. She grew up on a farm atop the bluffs of the  Mississippi river in a loving household with her parents and eight siblings. Katie was proud to say most of her early education occurred at McCahill School in Lake City before finishing her senior year of high school at Lincoln High School in 1953. It was there she met her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, William (Bill) Hollman. The caption below Bill’s high school picture read “Red hair and blue eyes are something I idolize” A little over one year later, in September of 1954, they were united in marriage. 

Katie loved life and the most important part of her life was her family. Her high school picture caption pretty much summed up her essence, “Powder your face with sunshine”. Family was everything to her and she brought her “sunshine” to their lives every day. She loved being a homemaker and dedicated herself to raising her children with love and care. Katie was everpresent in her children’s lives and was always there, except of course the 60 minutes when Days of Our Lives was on.  She was the one to see her kids off in the morning, the first to greet them with a snack after school and the last to tuck them in with a hug and kiss at night. Family vacations were particulary special to her. She loved traveling out west to the mountains, Glacier National Park being her favorite. Katie also loved going to Rainbow Resort in northern Minnesota for summer vacations with her family. She loved family holidays, particularly Christmas when she would have her annual hot toddy, triggering her face to turn a bright red.

Throughout her adult life, Katie found joy in various retail jobs that allowed her to interact with people from all walks of life, including her time at Ben Franklin, Sears, Sincerely Yours, and even picking apples at Pepin Heights (formerly Courtier's). She loved getting together with her friends for “card club”, a gathering that lasted for over 50 years. In her later years, Katie cherished the time she spent traveling alongside her beloved husband, Bill. Travels out west together created lasting memories that she held dear to her heart. Shortly after Bill’s retirement they went on their greatest adventure of all to Alaska. Starting in Lake City they drove over 3500 miles in their Toyota sedan through the Yukon to Alaska. Their trip would turn into a several week adventure. Bill passed away just a few short months ago, in March of 2023. 

Kathleen is survived by her three children, Greg Hollman of Madison, WI;  Gina (Bruce) Beckman of Middleton, WI and Heidi (Mike) Noll of Lake City. Her memory will also be cherished by her six grandchildren, Britta (Alex) Schultz of Middleton, WI; Katie (Nick) Flahavan of Madison, WI; Megan (Luke) Beckman-Sievers of Dane, WI; Nick Hollman of Madison, WI; Michael Noll of River Falls, WI and Mackenzie Noll of Red Wing. Additionally, Kathleen leaves behind two great-grandchildren,  Jackson Schultz of Middleton, WI and Archie Flahavan of Madison, WI and a sister, Peg Marquette of Sacramento, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; daughter-in-law, Sal Hollman and seven siblings.

“Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure." — Renee Wood

Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m.  on Friday, February 23, 2024, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church with a visitation one hour prior.  Burial will take place at the church cemetery in Lake City.  A live stream of the service will be available on our Facebook page and can be accessed here at 10:55 a.m. the day of the service: https://www.facebook.com/mahnfamilyfuneralhome/ Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Anderson Peterson Chapel. Online condolences may be left at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

In this time of grieving, let us take solace in the memories we shared with Kathleen. May her kind and gentle spirit continue to inspire us all as we carry her legacy forward. Kathleen brought joy to the lives she touched and left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who loved her deeply