Marvin Holappa

SEATTLE, Wash. — The “long goodbye” ended for Marvin Holappa on April 24 when he passed away at his home in Seattle in the loving arms of his family and his wife of 60 years. At 83 years old, his body was exhausted by Alzheimer’s disease and strokes.

Marv was born on July 13, 1924 in Castlewood, S.D. In 1929, the family moved to the copper mining town of Painesdale.

He was drafted into the army in June of 1943 where he served in a combat tank crew in Europe in the 23rd Battalion of the 12th Armored Div.

Following discharge in 1946, Marv enrolled at Michigan Technological University and graduated with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1950. There, he married Teresa Kolaski of Houghton.

Following graduation, they moved to Grand Coulee Dam, Wash. where he was a construction engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation. in 1951, the family moved to Seattle where Marv was employed by the Boeing Co. for 36 years in engineering. The last 10 years he was a customer support respresentative in the Commercial Airplane Div. working abroad in India, Ireland, South Africa and Pakistan, returning to Seattle to retire in 1986.

Marv had been active in numerous organizations and president of many. He stood for everything that was good and true and worthwhile. Marv’s family always came first and he provided well for them. He loved to read and collect good literature amassing a large library, encouraging his children and grandchildren to read.

Marv leaves his wife, Teresa; and children, Susan Simplost, Nancy Davenport, Rod Holappa and Rex Holappa, all of Wash.; also six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mavis Anderson of Grass Lake, Mich. and Violet Pertile of Sheridan, Wyo.

A celebration of Marv’s life will be held on May 18 at 3 p.m. with reception to follow at East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue, Wash.

Remembrances can be made to Alzheimer’s Association.