ELIZABETH JOHANNA HOLMES

Elizabeth Johanna Holmes, 92, of Duluth, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, in Essentia Health–St. Mary’s Medical Center with her family by her side.

She was born Sept. 4, 1919, in Virginia, to Edward J. Larsen (1877-1959) and Emily (Eggen) Larsen (1880-1962).

Elizabeth graduated from Virginia schools and went on to graduate from Northwestern University in music. She taught string instruments for years in the Austin (Minn.) school system, and taught strings and band in the neighboring area. She moved to Duluth in 1972 and taught string instruments in Duluth public schools until her retirement in 1985.

Elizabeth played violin in the Austin Symphony, the Rochester (Minn.) Symphony, and the Duluth Symphony Orchestras. She also conducted the Duluth Community Orchestra and her school orchestras.

Elizabeth loved her cabin on Lake Vermilion and musical get-togethers there with friends and family. She loved family times at the cabin, with swimming, saunas, sun-tanning, berry-picking, and feeding birds, hummingbirds and chipmunks. Elizabeth enjoyed canoeing and once took a trip into the Boundary Waters. Elizabeth swam for years with friends at the Duluth YMCA.

She loved her generations of family pet dogs over the years. Some of her hobbies included reading history and sailing books, James Herriot books and watching British comedies.

Family was very important to her. She loved family Thanksgiving and Christmases. She loved Norwegian Christmas baking, lefse and lutefisk. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, Micronesia, Japan, Vancouver, B.C., and Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her former husband, John W. Holmes; and her sister, Gunhild Larsen Smith.

Survivors include her children, John M. Holmes, Anne (Dave) Karakatsoulis and Kathy L. Holmes, all of Duluth, Ransome B. (Lucy) Holmes of Vancouver, B.C., Stephen E. (Sali) Holmes of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Peggy J. Holmes of Pinole, Calif.; her grandchildren, Miriam, Gabe, Eli, Nick, Sophie, Bernard, Heather and Maxwell; and her great-grandchildren, Mikaela and Jonathan.

GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 10 until the 11 a.m. service Thursday, March 1, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorials may be directed to the Duluth Symphony Orchestra Youth Programs in memory of Elizabeth.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, (218) 727-3555.

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