Donna Holland

Donna was born in Onsted, Michigan, on June 23, 1933, to Sherman and Mabel (Sanback) Cary. She was called to her eternal home on July 10, 2011, at the age of 78, after a long-fought battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Donna's noble character gently and humbly influenced the lives of those placed in her path. She touched people with her genuine love and kindness, dedicating herself in service to the needs of others. Donna loved her Savior Jesus Christ and lived a life that demonstrated His love and compassion in quiet and creative ways with dignity, strength, and grace. She impacted those who knew her with her generous spirit and loving heart.

Donna graduated from Central Lake High School in 1951 and received her diploma of nursing from the Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in September of 1954. One week later, Donna returned to Central Lake and married her childhood sweetheart and husband of 56 years, Gordon "Bud" Holland on September 11, 1954.

Bud and Donna owned and operated Holland's Service Station in Bellaire for more than 20 years. While raising her family she also worked as a registered nurse for Dr. John Rodgers. Upon his retirement Donna served as a visiting nurse for Antrim, Charlevoix, and Otsego Counties' Health Department. She retired from nursing in 1997 after working as a charge nurse at Antrim County's Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility. After her retirement she volunteered with the Bellaire Food Pantry and the Bellaire Historical Museum.

Her devoted and loving husband Bud survives her, as do daughter Gail Holland of Traverse City, and son Mark (Judy) Holland of Gaylord, granddaughters Heather Holland of Gaylord, and Wendy Holland of Kalamazoo. Also surviving are brothers-in-law Jay Montgomery and Donald (Jane) Holland, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Donna was predeceased by her mother and father, her sister Ruth Cary Montgomery, sister-in-law Nancy Lou Elliott, brother-in-law James Elliott, and nephew Phillip Page.

The family extends their gratitude to Donna's niece Sue and the wonderful caregivers at Cherry Hill Haven and Hospice of Michigan for the kindness and devotion they showed Donna.

The family is being served by Mortensen Funeral Home, 106 South Bridge Street, Bellaire, (www.moretensenfuneralhomes.com). Visitation will be held at Mortensen's Bellaire Chapel, on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011, at the Bellaire Community United Methodist Church, 401 North Bridge Street. For those who desire, donations in Donna's memory may be made to the Bellaire Food Pantry or the Bellaire Historical Museum.