Delores Holmes, 94

Delores Holmes, 94, of Winner, SD passed away Thursday, November 16, 2023 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Winner Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Delores (Sell) Holmes was born February 28, 1929 to Henry and Theresa (Gehlsen) Sell in Gross, NE. She grew up with four younger brothers: Gerald, Howard (Zeke) , Donald (Red) and Gary. In the 30s the family moved to a place east of Mission.

She attended first through third grade at the Clausen School. Then fourth through sixth grade was at the Lonehill School and seventh and eighth grade at the Fast School.

Aunt Margaret (Gehlsen) Simmons offered to take her for high school, so she went to Platte High School where she was a majorette all four years and played drums for concerts. During these years she helped Margaret take care of her daughters, Bonnie and Georgia, and had part time jobs at Fischer’s Café and Northwestern Bell Telephone.

In July of 1946, she went home for a visit and went to a dance in White River with her family where she met the love of her life, Wayne Holmes. After the dance, Wayne asked her folks and her if he could take her home.

In September of 1946 she went back to Platte for her senior year. She was working at the telephone office when Wayne called and asked if he could come and see her. On December 23, 1946, he gave her a diamond engagement ring.

She graduated in May, 1947 and transferred to the telephone office in Winner. She and Wayne were married August 3, 1947 and they were married for 67 years before Wayne passed in June, 2014.

In May, 1949, Delores and Wayne moved to a farm near Mission and began raising their family of three children. Tom (Kathy) Holmes, Doug (JoAnn) Holmes, and Patsy (Scott) Carey.

Throughout her homemaker and working years she was a talented seamstress in the Mission community, sewing everything from wedding and prom dresses, cheerleading outfits and alterations of any kind. She worked for Todd County School District where she worked in the kitchen and library.

She enjoyed baking, sewing, and fancy work, and especially loved coffees with friends and family as well “doings” and gatherings.

She was active in the Mission United Methodist Church.

Some of her most cherished and loved times were when she was with her children and cousins, and later with her grands and great grands.

She is survived by her three children, five grandchildren; Justin (Cody) Holmes and Jennifer (Dan) Buchholtz, Nicole (Alex) Rowland, Megan (Justin) Grubisha, and Samantha (James) Riel and four step grandchildren, Steve (Tracey) Witte, Kevin (Heather) Witte, Patrick Witte and Chris Jendersee. Also, a brother Donald (Red) Sell, seven great grandchildren and seven great step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her spouse, two grandchildren, and three brothers.

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