Ruby Holden

Ruby E. Holden, 90, of Williamsburg, Iowa, passed away August 26, 2013 at the University of Iowa Hospital after a brief illness.

Friends and relatives may call from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the First United Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg, Iowa.  Services for Ruby will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, September 2, 2013 at the First United Presbyterian Church, Williamsburg, Iowa.  Burial will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Ruby was born October 28, 1922, near Millersburg, Iowa the daughter of John F. and Irene E. (Montross) Voelkel.  She attended school in Millersburg and Marengo before graduating from Millersburg High School.  She received her Normal Training Certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  For two years, she taught elementary education in two country schools near Millersburg.

On August 19, 1944, Ruby was united in marriage to Roland W. Holden in Millersburg, Iowa.  They resided in the Williamsburg community where they raised their family and operated Holden’s Foundation Seeds, Inc.  After 1966, Ruby accompanied Roland to Molokai, Hawaii where Roland founded Hawaiian Research, Ltd.  For 30 years, their winters spent in Hawaii were filled with aloha spirit.  Throughout the 60 years of the seed research businesses, many friends were made with employees and customers.  All became part of her extended family.

Ruby participated in many community activities.  She sang in the First Presbyterian Choir, she was a Past Worthy Matron of OES Williamsburg Chapter #151, Past President of Chapter CN, PEO and founding member of the Town and Country Bridge Club.  Ruby and Roland enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, golfing, bowling and traveling.  After her children entered college, she began taking art lessons producing water color and oil paintings.  Throughout her life, she was proud to have been a guard on the Millersburg basketball team, Iowa County Health Girl and part of choral and performance groups.

Ruby continued to generously support the Williamsburg community through the Ruby and Roland Holden Foundation.  In addition, she contributed to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and Roland and Ruby Research Laboratories.  Her greatest contributions and enjoyment were with family and friends.  Her friendly, outgoing, energetic and mischievous personality was endearing and brought smiles to all who knew her.


Ruby is survived by her son, Ronald and wife Arlene, Williamsburg; two daughters, Susan McCurry and husband David, Naples, Florida, Karol Holden, San Diego, California; four grandchildren, Mary Blythe and husband Curt, Williamsburg, Kathy Holden, Williamsburg, Jennifer McCurry, Joseph McCurry and Sveta McCurry, Naples, Florida; four great-grandsons, Trenton and wife Molly Blythe, Holden and wife Kelly Blythe, Austin Blythe, and Corbin Blythe; sister-in-law, Alma Voelkel, Phoenix, Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, husband, Roland of 51 years, her brother, Benjamin Voelkel, her sister, Naomi Lortz and brother-in-law, Charles E. Lortz.

The family is truly grateful for the wonderful care provided by Christine (Bub) Folkmann for the past 11 years, Anita Gorsh for the past year and the entire staff at Highland Ridge Senior Living Community.  In addition, we wish to thank Drs. Hohl, Hussain and Kaleem and the entire nursing staff at the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center for their tender care.

Memorials may be sent to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa City, First United Presbyterian Church and Highland Ridge, Williamsburg.