Allan E. Holmes

Allan E. Holmes, 82, of Moorhead, passed away Monday, February 16, 2015 at Luther Memorial Home, in Mayville, ND. Allan was born August 22, 1932, to Lester and Rose Wirth Holmes in Fargo, ND. He grew up and attended schools in Alexandria and Fargo before moving to Moorhead. As a student at Moorhead High School, Allan was active in sports and he represented the school in the first Minnesota Boys State. After high school, he worked on the Railroad for a short time before entering the Air Force in 1951. Following his service, Allan continued his education at Moorhead State University. While at MSU, he excelled in sports and was Captain of both the football and wrestling teams. On June 9, 1955 he married Janice Hess in Tenney, MN. Together they had four children.

Allan had a passion to teach and help others before himself. Over the years he taught in Frazee, MN, where he started the wrestling program. He also taught and coached multiple sports at a number of colleges including Michigan Tech, Moorhead State University, Mayville State, and Central Lakes Community College in Brainerd, MN. Allan received numerous awards for his athletics and coaching including induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, but his biggest accomplishments were the impacts he had on family, friends, and the college students he helped and mentored. When free time was available to Allan he liked to spend it hunting and fishing with friends and family.

Allan is survived by sons, Tom Jane Holmes of Fergus Falls, MN, Mike Jodi Holmes of Grand Forks, ND and Bob Susan Holmes of Omaha, NE; daughter, Mary Jo Lynn Good of Battle Lake, MN; brother, Robert Holmes; twelve grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Holmes; granddaughter, Danielle Good; and sister, Dianne Ramirez.

Visitation: Thursday, February 19, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead.

Funeral: Friday, February 20, at 1:00 p.m., in The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.

Interment: Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.