Merideth Ann Holmquist, 78

Our loving mother and wife, Merideth Ann Holmquist, 78, of Neche, ND and Baudette, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Bemidji, MN, with her family by her side.

Meri was born on June 1, 1946, in Grafton, ND, to Frank and Kathleen (Linde) Trenbeath. She grew up on the farm near Neche with her brother Tom and sister Susan. She attended Neche Public School and received her diploma in 1964.  That year, she married Lou Kihne, and two children, Kari and Danny, were born into that union. She later married Gary Skovgaard in 1972, and they became parents to Andy and Maggie.  She was united in marriage to Jim Holmquist on October 22, 1999, in Neche, ND. They recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Many knew Meri from her time working at the Neche School, where she was the Business Manager from 1981 until she retired in 2016.  She always had a stick of gum in her drawer for students who came looking, the exact piece of paper you needed, and a smile to greet you when you saw her at the lunch line.  You could always hear her coming down the hall with her heels clickety-clacking as she went about her business. Meri also worked as the Neche City Auditor for many years and gave that desk calculator a run for its money. Meri was a longtime supporter of the Neche American Legion Gainer-McAndrews Post #242 as well as the Neche American Legion Auxiliary.

Meri enjoyed reading books, playing solitaire or other computer games, and watching crime show mysteries. She enjoyed finding a good deal at any and all garage sales and was sure to point them out in passing. She was always prepared and well put together, whether that be with jewelry for the occasion or fingernails painted for the holiday.  She and Jim enjoyed their time at the lake and loved to dance, and took advantage of any chance they could get. But above all else, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family.  She was the glue that held that growing bunch together, whether it be organizing meals at our annual 4th of July fireworks extravaganza or arranging all things related to Christmas get-togethers. There weren’t many events of her grandchildren that she missed.  She enjoyed watching them all blossom into young adults and was so proud of each and every one.

Meri is survived by her husband of 25 years, Jim; her four children, Kari (Mike) Heinrichs, Danny Kihne, Andy (Shannon) Skovgaard, and Maggie (Jerry) Standifer; her 11 grandchildren Katie Heinrichs, Kallie (Joey) Dahl, Tasha (Carson) Heinrichs, Tara Heinrichs, Brock (Kelly) Setness, Blake (Marie) Setness, Brandon Kihne, Cole & Katie McCaw, Lauren & Logan Standifer; 6 great-grandchildren and two on the way; her brother Tom (Rose) Trenbeath, her sister Susan (Tim) Fisher, and many loved nieces and nephews. Meri is preceded in death by her parents and her nephew, John Fisher.

A celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Cyrus Resort in Baudette, MN.