Herb Holm 11/01/2025

Herb Holm, age 96, from New Richmond, WI, passed away on Nov 1, 2025, surrounded by love. He was born on June 11, 1929, in Nye, WI, to Robert and Tena Holm and was one of 13 children. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1947 and immediately joined the U.S. Air Force serving in several locations including Misawa, Japan. After leaving the Air Force he tried his hand at being a meat cutter but said “it was too cold standing in the meat locker all day.” He took advantage of the G.I. Bill and attended Dunwoody Technical School in St. Paul where he studied electronics. He worked at the Northwestern Bell Telephone company in Stillwater, MN, for 35 years until he retired.

Herb married the love of his life, Irene Strohbeen, on June 6, 1959, and together they raised three daughters in Houlton, WI. In 2003 they moved to Superior, WI, and lived there until 2011 when they settled in New Richmond, WI.

Herb had an amazing sense of humor, a quick wit, and loved to make people smile. Herb spent a lot of time traveling with his family, eventually visiting all 50 states. He also liked to read, fish, “shoot the breeze,” and be outside. His lawn was known for always being perfectly manicured. Growing up during the depression he learned to never throw anything away. He was known as “Mr. Fix It” and his repurposing efforts were affectionately known as “Herb-idized.” He loved spending time with all of his grandchildren, and they loved spending time at his workbench patching together crazy inventions from the many Skippy Peanut Butter jars of odds and ends he collected over the years.

Herb was preceded in death by his wife Irene, his parents Robert and Tena Holm, and all of his siblings and their spouses (Arnold (Eunice) Holm, Curtis (Tula) Holm, Kenneth (Iris) Holm, Marion Probasco, Verniel (Bill) Bushman, Calvin (Dorothy) Holm, Carolyn (Dick) Hoppenrath, James Holm, Bob Holm, Allen Holm, & Dallas (Judy) Holm.  Also preceded in death by his in-laws and their spouses: Lucille Strohbeen, Bernice (Paul) Neidermire, & Russell (Ina Mae) Strohbeen.

Herb is survived by his three children, Kathy Holm (Scott Jost), Cindy Smith (Randy Osborne), and Sue Holm: grandchildren Elise Zeller, Zack Zeller, Tony Smith (III), Dean Smith, Evan (Samantha) Jost, and June Holm; one great grandchild, April Powell; and numerous nieces & nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to his second family — the residents and staff of Deerfield Gables—for their kindness, care, and companionship.

There wasn’t much Herb couldn’t fix, and though we’ll miss him dearly, we take comfort knowing he’s now keeping Heaven “Herb-idized.”

Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday November 6, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral at the Church. Luncheon to immediately follow Funeral. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery in East Farmington. Memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church in New Richmond.