E. Gwendolyn Holland

January 29, 1931 - July 7, 2020

Esther Gwendolyn “Gwen” Holland, 89, of Rapid City, SD, passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2020, at Peaceful Pines Senior Living in Rapid City. Gwen was born January 29, 1931, to Garfield and Esther (Langaunet) Kozojed in Traill County, ND. She graduated from Halstad (MN) High School and then went on to business college. After business college, she raised her two children before working for the United States Postal Service. Gwen ended her career as the Postmaster in Perley, MN. On May 5, 1951, she married the love of her life, Lowell Holland, at the Halstad Lutheran Church. They were married for 65 wonderful years. Over the years, they spent a lot of time attending activities of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lowell and Gwen loved to square dance and Gwen sewed most of their square dance outfits. Gwen loved to knit and is known for all of her beautiful sweaters; you would usually see her and Lowell wearing them. Gwen knitted blankets and baptismal blankets for all of her grandchildren which are very special to the family. She also made many prayer shawls for members of the church that she and Lowell attended, and for friends and family. There are so many things to remember Gwen for - her love of family, all of her wonderful cooking, caramel rolls (were a must if you stayed at grandma’s!), meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, potato dumplings and ham, lefsa, krumkake, and flatbread. Gwen taught her grandchildren how to make and carry on the traditions of her favorite family foods. She is survived by her son, Richard (Sheila) Holland, and their family, Gregg (Rana and their sons, Isaac, Ethan, and Logan), Amanda, Abby, and Allie; daughter, Janice (Bill) and all of their family; her sister, Rose (Bob) Knudtson; brothers-in-law, Earl (Kathy) Holland, Vernon (Vicki Miller) Holland, and Lowell Holm; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Lowell, she was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Doris Pitman, Betty Dunford, and Carol Holm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dilworth (MN) Lutheran Church. A private family service will be held.