Elvina Bernadine McNairn Holder, 93, died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, July 17, 2014, in Mission, Texas.

Elvina was born Aug. 8, 1920, to Joseph and Maybelle (Salisbury) McNairn in Osakis, Minn. She attended grade school and high school in Osakis, Minn. Some of her fondest childhood memories were of helping her father on the farm. She was the eldest of three children.

Elvina was united in marriage to Ralph L. Holder on Oct. 4, 1938, at Camp Ballantine, Lake Le Homme Dieu, Alexandria, Minn. Elvina and Ralph began their family in and around the Osakis, Minn., area where they lived for 12 years. In 1950, they moved to the village of Lansing, Minn., where they built a masonry home and raised their seven children. They were well known for their delicious green apple trees (frequently raided day and night) and their huge garden (one-third of it strawberries). They enjoyed driving trips all through the U.S. and Canada, and several winters, they traveled to Texas to work and visit relatives. After Ralph passed away on July 31, 1991, the homestead was sold and Elvina moved into the Pickett Place apartments in Austin, Minn., for nine years. She enjoyed spending time at social events, playing cribbage, bingo, crocheting, quilting, taking fun-filled day trips with her friends and annual winter visits to Texas to escape the cold Minnesota weather. In 2001, Elvina moved to Aquilla, Texas, and shared a home with her son James, next door to her daughter Linda, by the Brazos River. She loved relaxing on her porch swing in the Texas sun, reading books, writing letters, and she especially loved visiting with the family and friends who frequently traveled to visit her. In July 2014, she moved to assisted living in Mission, Texas.

Elvina was an active and faithful member of Lansing United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women’s group, Lansing Grange and the Mower County Senior Center. She truly enjoyed spending time with family, especially her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren for whom she made special quilts and baby afghans. Elvina loved attending her grandchildren’s special events, concerts, sporting events and theater productions. She enjoyed gardens, flowers, bird watching, listening to music along with sharing her joyful spirit, laughter, unconditional love and wonderful stories with everyone.

Elvina was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Maybelle McNairn, her loving husband of 53 years Ralph L. Holder; infant son Kenneth; and sister Marjorie Struntz.

Elvina is survived by her sister Ethel Nylander, Brandon, Minn.; son Donald Holder, Austin, Minn., son James Holder, Mission, Texas, daughter Linda (Joe) Yose, Mission, Texas, son Alan (Claudette) Holder, Brooklyn Center, Minn., son Gregory (Kim) Holder, Park Rapids, Minn., daughter Jody (Rocky) Pitchford, Fruita, Colo., daughter Sheila McTigue, Mart, Texas; 17 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; six great great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

There is no funeral or memorial service. Her love and kindness will be remembered and continue to be shared with others.