Obituary for Dorothy Holmbo (Wellman)
Dorothy Eileen (Wellman) Johnston Holmbo
Dorothy Eileen (Wellman) Johnston Holmbo, 86, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 14, 2022, with her children surrounding her with so much love in the days leading up to her final journey. She took her time getting there, for she truly never was ready to leave her family. Born on November 1, 1935, in Walnut, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur David and Golda Mae Wellman. Graduated East High School in 1953. Married Charles Leonard Johnston on December 24,1954. From that marriage were Kathleen (Jeff) Fox, Mike (Teri) Johnston, Patty (Matt) Austin, and Kelly Johnston. Her late husband, Thomas Holmbo's children, Joe (Debi) Holmbo, Michael (Antonette) Holmbo, and Katrina (Jeff) Meils. Dorothy was an amazing grandmother and will truly be missed by Michael (Brent) Johnston-Farrar, Andrea (Ryan) Yager, Katie Beth (Jake) Ramsbottom, Megan (Mike) O'Donnell, Luke (Emily) Austin, Ben Austin (fiancé, Carly Malacina), Zack Fox, Niki (Phil) Stosur, Alli Fox, Caitlyn Conner, Brock (Mandi) Conner, Jeremy, Autumn, Winter and Michelle; great-grandchildren who loved their Gigi dearly: Henry, Garrett, Gavin, Eleanor, Jackson, Isaac, William, Ireland, Duke, Dane, Tyler, Arianna and numerous others. Additional survivors include her very special aunt, Marcella Miller; sister-in-law, Barb Wellman; her Indiana family; numerous nieces and nephews who she shared many memories with; and her loving caregiver sent straight from heaven, who loved her dearly, Mila Bubela. Preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Charles Leonard Johnston; second husband, Thomas Patrick Holmbo; siblings Arthur Wellman, Leo Wellman, Shirley Suits, and Gerald Wellman. A proud member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, serving as a Junior President, Auxiliary Guard and traveling to Washington D.C. to lay flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier. She worked many years at National Lock and First National Bank in Rockford. She was very proud of her CNA certification she received at Rock Valley College, using her degree as a Home Health Care employee at Swedish American Hospital where she retired. Dorothy’s favorite hobby was her family! Her humor will live on as her family shares the many stories and her quick wit responses to those she loved so dearly. Many of her recipes will never be duplicated as she cooked from "scratch", always sampling her amazing food, or perhaps sneaking a bite off of other’s plates. Always our Mom, forever our best friend! Family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice/ProMedica for their care and support during this difficult time.
Please join her family who will forever miss her, to celebrate a life well lived at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 11 a.m. to service time. Burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park.
Dorothy Eileen (Wellman) Johnston Holmbo, 86, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, July 14, 2022, with her children surrounding her with so much love in the days leading up to her final journey. She took her time getting there, for she truly never was ready to leave her family. Born on November 1, 1935, in Walnut, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur David and Golda Mae Wellman. Graduated East High School in 1953. Married Charles Leonard Johnston on December 24,1954. From that marriage were Kathleen (Jeff) Fox, Mike (Teri) Johnston, Patty (Matt) Austin, and Kelly Johnston. Her late husband, Thomas Holmbo's children, Joe (Debi) Holmbo, Michael (Antonette) Holmbo, and Katrina (Jeff) Meils. Dorothy was an amazing grandmother and will truly be missed by Michael (Brent) Johnston-Farrar, Andrea (Ryan) Yager, Katie Beth (Jake) Ramsbottom, Megan (Mike) O'Donnell, Luke (Emily) Austin, Ben Austin (fiancé, Carly Malacina), Zack Fox, Niki (Phil) Stosur, Alli Fox, Caitlyn Conner, Brock (Mandi) Conner, Jeremy, Autumn, Winter and Michelle; great-grandchildren who loved their Gigi dearly: Henry, Garrett, Gavin, Eleanor, Jackson, Isaac, William, Ireland, Duke, Dane, Tyler, Arianna and numerous others. Additional survivors include her very special aunt, Marcella Miller; sister-in-law, Barb Wellman; her Indiana family; numerous nieces and nephews who she shared many memories with; and her loving caregiver sent straight from heaven, who loved her dearly, Mila Bubela. Preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Charles Leonard Johnston; second husband, Thomas Patrick Holmbo; siblings Arthur Wellman, Leo Wellman, Shirley Suits, and Gerald Wellman. A proud member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary, serving as a Junior President, Auxiliary Guard and traveling to Washington D.C. to lay flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier. She worked many years at National Lock and First National Bank in Rockford. She was very proud of her CNA certification she received at Rock Valley College, using her degree as a Home Health Care employee at Swedish American Hospital where she retired. Dorothy’s favorite hobby was her family! Her humor will live on as her family shares the many stories and her quick wit responses to those she loved so dearly. Many of her recipes will never be duplicated as she cooked from "scratch", always sampling her amazing food, or perhaps sneaking a bite off of other’s plates. Always our Mom, forever our best friend! Family wishes to thank Heartland Hospice/ProMedica for their care and support during this difficult time.
Please join her family who will forever miss her, to celebrate a life well lived at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park, with visitation from 11 a.m. to service time. Burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park.