Winifred Hollenbach

Winifred Hollenbach, of Holland, died Saturday, June 18. She was 104 years old. Winifred, or "Winnie", as she preferred to be called, was born and raised in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following graduation, she went to Paris, France, to attend the Alliance Francais, but with World War Two looming, she later returned to the United States, and attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, Massachusetts. After a few years of doing private secretarial work, the University of Wisconsin beckoned again, and she returned to earn a Master's Degree in Library Science. It was while at the University of Wisconsin that she met Dr. John Hollenbach, who became her husband in the summer of 1941. For three years, they resided in Kirksville, Missouri, but in 1945 they came to Holland, Michigan, where her husband taught at Hope College, and she became an employee of the Herrick Public Library. Winnie's husband, John, loved the adventure of traveling and even living abroad. "Thanks to John", Winnie would say, "I truly got to see the world". Years were spent living in Egypt and Lebanon, and extended trips were made to Mexico, Australia, Japan, Yugoslavia, Austria, and England, to name but a few. Winnie was a member of Century Club, Hope College Second Century Club, Tuesday Night Book Club, PEO, and the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals ( HASP ). She was a member of Hope Church. She is survived by her two sons, David ( Jane ) and John, better known as "Jeff" ( Jane ) Hollenbach, three grandsons, Jeffrey ( Kate ), Edward ( Jess ), and James ( Emily ) Hollenbach, granddaughter, Anna ( Sean ) Murphy, six very special great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. At Winnie's request, cremation will be followed by a private family graveside service. Memorials may be made to Hope College, or to HASP. Winnie was a woman of grace, style, and old fashioned elegance, blended beautifully with great kindness and good humor. She often observed that during her entire amazing 104 years, she had been blessed with a "storybook life". She wanted us to thank all her wonderful family and friends. We thank her back, and we will all greatly miss her.

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Winifred Hollenbach

January 25, 1912 - June 18, 2016