Howard Holmquist Obituary

Howard Ralph Holmquist

August 7, 1938 - November 23, 2024

Howard Ralph Holmquist, beloved husband, father, grandfather, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at Community Memorial Nursing Home in Burwell, Nebraska, at the age of 86.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the Baptist Church in Burwell, Nebraska. Pastor Joel Wentworth and Ben Burris will officiate. Howard will be laid to rest at a later date in the Cottonwood Cemetery at Burwell, Nebraska. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Howard Holmquist Memorial, designated to the Burwell Airport pilot's lounge or 4 The Cure. Still Waters Funeral Parlor is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.stillwatersfuneralparlor.com

Howard was born on August 7, 1938, in Bertrand, Nebraska. Howard was the youngest child of John Ralph Marathon and Elsie Marie (High) Holmquist. He grew up in Bertrand, where he attended Bertrand Public Schools, graduating in May of 1956. His passion for serving others led him to pursue a career in pharmacy. Howard embarked on a career that spanned 55 years.

In August of 1959, Howard married the love of his life, Shari Lee Darling, in Auburn, Nebraska. Together, they built a home and a legacy of love and service. While attending the University he was a member of the Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity. During his senior year of pharmacy school, Howard and Shari lived in Wahoo, Nebraska, where she taught kindergarten while he commuted to complete his studies.

After graduation, Howard began his pharmacy career at Varney Drug in Broken Bow, Nebraska, before moving to Burwell in 1960 to work at Kull Drug. By 1965, Howard had purchased the Pharmacy and renamed it Burwell Pharmacy, where he faithfully served the community until his retirement in 2015.

Howard was deeply committed to his faith, teaching Sunday School in the Lutheran Church and the Burwell Baptist Church, for a total of 55 years. Howard and Shari were both deeply committed to praying and ended every day praying for the future of their kids, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as for the leaders of their community and country. Howard and Shari also hosted a prayer group at their house every Wednesday evening for almost 40 years. Alongside his pharmacy career he was very involved in various clubs and organizations. He was a member of the Wrangler Club, an active school board member of Burwell District 15 Elementary School. Howard also sold tickets at Nebraska's Big Rodeo for 45 years. He was a member of the Burwell Airport Authority, reflecting his lifelong love of aviation. Howard earned his pilot's license in 1960 and enjoyed flying until 2023. His adventurous spirit also led him to obtain his motorcycle license, and in 2010, he rode his Harley-Davidson to Sturgis alongside his son and grandsons.

Howard is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Shari Lee Holmquist; his son, Hugh (Brenda) Holmquist of Burwell, NE; daughters, Hope (David) Hulinsky of Overland Park, KS, and Holly (Derek) Mann of Burwell, NE; his sister, Ruth (Ben) Maaske of Lincoln, NE; and a sister-in-law, Donna (Bruce) Holmquist of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, Joshua (Sara) Holmquist of Burwell, NE, Jacob (Quincey) Holmquist of Loveland, CO, Joel (Chelsey) Holmquist of Omaha, NE, Ian Hulinsky and Hannah Hulinsky both of Overland Park, KS, Heidi (Jerrod) Moody of Ord, NE, Hallee (Jase) Williams of Ord, NE, and Hildy Mann of Burwell, NE; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; his brother, Bruce Holmquist; and his beloved daughter, Heidi Lee Holmquist, at the age of 4 in 1969.