Gerry C. Holien, 95, Cando, ND, passed away on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at the Towner County Living Center in Cando, ND.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, June 23, 2023 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando at 10:30 a.m. with Father Daniel Musgrave celebrating the Mass.  Visitation will be Thursday, June 22, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home, Cando, ND followed by a Rosary and Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando. Visitation will also continue on Friday for one hour prior to the services in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Sacred Heart Christian Mothers, Towner County Living Center Auxiliary or the American Legion Auxiliary.

Geraldine (Sand) Holien was born October 15, 1927, to Leo and Lucille (Ulrich) Sand on Hilltop Farm north of Crocus, North Dakota.  She attended Egeland West School until eighth grade when they moved into Cando in 1941.  Gerry attended Cando School and graduated in 1946.

She married Harold Holien and they resided in Cando.  Gerry spent the first 20 years of their marriage raising their family of eight children.  When they were able to get out together for an evening, there was usually live music involved.  And boy could they waltz! The Fireman's Ball was always the highlight of the year for them to dance.  Some folks nicknamed them Fred and Ginger!

In 1967 Gerry began working at Towner County Memorial Hospital in the admissions and bookkeeping department.  In 1982 she started working at Mark's Chevrolet in bookkeeping, and when the dealership closed, she went to work for Doctor Moen, optometrist, until he left in 1988.  Then she worked as clubhouse manager at Cando Golf Course.  Gerry started at the Cando Motel in 1992.  She retired in 2003 but helped at the motel part time.

Gerry was a true example of the Greatest Generation, with the love of God, her family, and her country foremost in her life.  She gave back through community service by volunteering for years for many organizations, including Christian Mothers, Sacred Heart Altar Society, American Legion Auxiliary, Towner County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Cando Senior Citizens, and Cando Senior Meals.  She was treasurer for years for American Legion Auxiliary, Cando Senior Citizens and Cando Senior Meals.  Gerry was past president of Towner County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, Christian Mothers, and Altar Society.  She was also District President of American Legion Auxiliary in 1978 and 1979.  She was the department music chairman in 1980, for which she received an award for outstanding reporting.  She was also on the swimming pool committee for building the present pool; she was inducted into the Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 2002.  She was part of the Cando Community Chorus for many years.  Gerry did lots of volunteer work for Sacred Heart Church, including taking care of the altar linens and flowers, teaching altar servers, singing in the choir, leading praying of the rosary before Mass, and proclaiming the word at Mass.

Harold passed away in 2002, and Gerry remained in her home with her dog Rosie and her flowers.  She enjoyed growing flowers and a small garden, making jelly, wine, and various fruit sauces.  She could never keep enough grape jelly on the shelves because the grandkids would beg for it every time they visited.  Her biggest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Even close to death, she would break into a big smile when they came to visit.

She is survived by her children Tim, Cando; Jeanette LaRock, Bismarck; Patrick (Linda), Sun Lakes, AZ/Minot; Duane (Jackie), Cando; Donavon; Jeff; and Danny, Cando; brothers Darrell, Arvada, CO; Joel (Lorraine), Cando; and sister-in-law Marilyn Sand, Larimore. Grandchildren Allison LaRock, Bismarck; Katie LaRock, Bismarck; Rachel (Chris) Nannenga, Surrey; Alycia Holien, Minot; Tuesday (Shaun) Munsch, Chicago, IL; Nicole (Darren) Mund, Hazen; Ryan (Kelsey) Holien, Ipswich, SD; Amanda (Tracy) Bucholz, Menoken; Michelle (Matt) Swanson, Cando; Jessica (Jose) McEntree, Miami, FL; Jared (Abigail) Wilcox, Virginia Beach, VA; Steven (Mandi) Moore, HI; Sarah Webb, Fairbanks, AK; Joe (Alexandra) Holien, Tacoma, WA; Blaine (Andrea) Holien, DesMoines, WA; Ryder Holien, Grano, ND; Dylan (Karissa) Holien, Williston; Lucas (Cassandra) Holien, Williston; and Caitlin Kukuk, Williston; and 35 great-grandchildren.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband Harold, daughter Mary Christine Wilcox; Parents, Leo and Lucille Sand; sister Kathryn Baker, brothers Duane, Doran, and Donald Sand, and granddaughter Reiny KaLin Inman.

The family would like to thank all the clinical, nursing, housekeeping, and kitchen staff, and FNPs and doctors at the Towner County Living Center and Towner County Memorial Clinic and Hospital for the wonderful care our mom received.