Marvin Holappa

The “long goodbye” ended for Marvin Holappa on April 24th when he passed away at his
home in Seattle in the arms of his loving family and wife of 60 years. At 83 years old his
body was exhausted by Alzheimer’s disease and strokes.

Marv was born on July 13, 1924 in Castlewood, S.D. In 1929 the family moved to the
copper mining town of Painesdale, Upper Peninsula of Mi. He was drafted into the army
in June of 1943 where he served in a combat tank crew in Europe in the 23rd Battalion of
the 12th Armored Div. Following discharge in 1946 Marv enrolled at Michigan
Technological University and graduated with a B.S. in Civil engineering in 1950. There he
married Teresa Kolaski of Houghton, Mi. Following graduation they moved to Grand
Coulee Dam, WA where he was a construction engineer for the Bureau of Reclamation.
In 1951 the family moved to Seattle where Marv was employed by the Boeing Company for 36
years in engineering. The last 10 years he was a Customer Support Representative in the
Commercial Airplane Div. working abroad in India, Ireland, South Africa and Pakistan
returning to Seattle to retire in 1986.

Marv had been active in numerous organizations and president of many. He stood for
everything that was good and true and worthwhile. Marv’s family always came first and
he provided well for them. He loved to read and collect good literature amassing a large
library, encouraging his children and grandchildren to read.

Marv leaves his wife Teresa and children Susan Simplot, Nancy Davenport, Rod Holappa
and Rex Holappa, all of Washington. Also 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
A celebration of Marv’s life will be held on May 18th, at 3 PM with reception to follow at
East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 S.E. 32nd St., Bellevue, WA.
Remembrances can be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

Published May 14, 2008 in the West Seattle Herald.