Coral Elaine Holland

The choirs of heaven will sing just a bit sweeter, Coral Elaine Holland was called home on September 29, 2012. Coral was born February 17, 1933 in Fergus Falls, MN to Carl and Minnie (Hunt) Collman where she was raised and educated. In high school she played the trombone in the marching band and the cello in the high school orchestra. She began playing the organ and the piano for her Lutheran church at a very early age. Following her high school graduation she attended Business College in Moorhead, MN. She married John Holland in 1952 and they moved to Missoula, MT. From that union she had 8 beautiful children, they later divorced. When faced with no job and 8 children to raise, she called on her faith and her determination to not just survive but to give her children a full and happy life. She worked two, sometimes three, jobs but she never let her family want for anything. She was a bookkeeper at Beaver Pond Sporting Goods for over 17 years. Her bosses were wonderful and helped her to provide sporting equipment to her children allowing them to ski, hunt, golf and camp. They spent many years camping and waterskiing on both Hebgen Lake and Canyon Ferry Lake. These traditions were carried down to grandchildren and continue to be with great-grandchildren. They also spent a great deal of time on the lakes in Minnesota with family and friends. They traveled a lot with sports and events. There was always someplace to go or something to do. Their home was where friends gathered because it was welcoming and filled with love. She enjoyed shooting trap, golfing and bowling (was quite good at all). For a few years she also worked at Country Lanes. She enjoyed this as it allowed her to keep in touch with her friends that continued to bowl as well as make new ones. One of the jobs she enjoyed the most was providing samples at Costco. It was not the job but the camaraderie of co-workers and the chance to see and visit with people she had not seen for awhile that she loved. Coral was a spiritual woman and had a great love for her Lord and her church. She gave the gift of her music playing the organ and piano for over 40 years to her church, First Lutheran. She also played for many weddings and funerals within the community until her eyesight no longer allowed her to. While her faith was one of her greatest comforts, her family was her greatest love. She loved her pets, all of whom were rescued. There were pets that needed love and she would give them hers. She loved her home, making it beautiful with flowers, shrubs and trees. She was preceded in death by her parents, her granddaughter Reylin Coral Ryan and her brother–in-law Donald Andreasen. Survivors include: her 8 children, Randy Holland of Whitefish, MT, Ricky (Carrie) Holland of Bozeman, MT, John Holland of Billings, MT, Regi (Wade) Johnson of Logan, MT, Wendy Looper of Gallatin Gateway, MT, Cassie (Roger) Brandenburger of Lincoln, MT, Stuart (Michelle) Holland of Valier, MT and Darcy (Charles) Schulz of Helena, MT; 19 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; sister Claudine Andreasen of Poulsbo, WA; and three nieces, Linda (Richard) Waite of Poulsbo,WA, Sheryl Andreasen (Paul Conrad) of Rockford, IL and Lori (Greg) Mikel of Hastins, MN. A memorial service will be held 11:00am on Saturday, October 27 at First Lutheran Church, 225 S. Black Ave. Bozeman, MT. Because of mom’s love of animals, please send any memorials to Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, PO Box 11390, Bozeman, MT 59719. “Open up the pipes Coral and let the Angels sing”