Mardell L. Holm

Mardell L. Holm, 86, of Wakefield, NE, died on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at her home in Wakefield. A private family service will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield; Pastor Patti Meyer will be officiating. This service will be available for streaming at Salem’s Facebook site, both live and after the event. The public is invited for a graveside service at 11:15 a.m. at the Wakefield Cemetery on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Bressler - Munderloh - Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all state guidelines will be in effect and we ask for everyone in attendance to wear a mask.

Mardell was born on March 15, 1934, at home near Wakefield, NE, the daughter of Marvin and Gladyce (Roberts) Mortenson. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in Wakefield and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Wakefield High School, Mardell earned her teaching certificate from Wayne State College and taught country school for two years. On May 30, 1954, she was united in marriage to Merlyn C. Holm at Salem Lutheran. To this union three daughters were born: Julie, Lori, and Lynn. Mardell and Merlyn spent many years farming before moving to Wakefield, where they lived the rest of their lives. For several years before her retirement, Mardell worked as the director of the Wakefield Senior Center. Mardell was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the WELCA and Circle. For several years she sang in the GEMMS with Gloria Oberg, Eleanor Johnson, and Martha Mortenson. The group logged a lot of miles and smiles with their entertainment in song, drawing on lyrics often written by Mardell. She was instrumental in helping launch the Little Red Hen Theater, and participated both on stage and behind the scenes. She loved gardening and birds and her family. The farm, and later, their apartment in the old bank, was a gathering place for siblings, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and cousins, where Mardell “held center” and played with young and old.

Mardell is survived by her daughters, Julie (Kenny) Thomsen of Wakefield, NE, Lori (Sam) Utecht of Wakefield, NE, Lynn Holm (Bob DePriest) of Lincoln, NE; sisters, Karen (Bob) Mallum of Lincoln, NE, Bonnie (Bob) Tiedtke of Cedar Rapids, IA, Gail (Keith) Jacobs of Boise, ID; sister-in-law, Linda (Terry) Carlson of St. Joseph, MO; eight grandchildren, Aron Utecht, Alyssa Utecht, Zachary Dolen, Parker Dolen, Griffin DePriest, Duncan DePriest, Vickie Wagner, Vahn Thomsen; seventeen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Merlyn, and an infant sister.