Mary A. Holmes, age 85 of Medford, passed away on May 10, 2026 at the Waterford of Colby, where she resided since November 2023.

 

A memorial service for Mary will take place at 11:00am on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Medford with Father Patrick McConnell officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the church on Tuesday from 9:00am until the time of service at 11:00am.

 

Mary was born on July 30, 1940 to Norbert and Inez (Steinbach) Egle. She was raised on the family dairy farm and sawmill in the Town of Molitor. After graduating from Medford High School in 1958, Mary’s first job was at the Medford ASCS office. She married Ken Holmes on August 29, 1959 with the wedding held at the Egle farm. In 1966, they started the Holmes Mink Ranch which they operated for 45 years. They opened Ken’s Bait Shop in 1972, which was the local hotspot until it closed in the late 90s. Along with raising two children, working on the ranch, and scooping minnows, Mary also worked at Production Credit Association in Medford for several years. In the late 80s, they began growing ginseng in the rolling hills of Perkinstown. 

 

Mary will be remembered for her kind heart, vibrant spirit, and unwavering optimism. No matter what life brought her way, she always found gratitude and perspective. She had a true gift for making things grow — especially her beloved flowers. Spring was her favorite season, eagerly anticipated each year as she prepared her gardens and visited her favorite local greenhouses. Mary loved being outdoors and embraced every season to the fullest. She enjoyed downhill skiing, snowmobiling, biking, fishing, picnics at the cabin, sharing tours of her beautiful flower gardens, and taking part in the Perkinstown Snowshoe Race. More than anything, Mary had a remarkable ability to connect with people. Her warmth, positivity, and genuine friendship left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

 

Survivors include her daughter Paula Liske; daughter-in-law Jane Holmes; grandchildren Heidi (Jason) Thomas, Holly (George) Korir, and Jack, Grace and Lily Holmes; great grandchildren Brecken, Parker and Max Thomas, and Kibet and Chebaibai Korir; siblings Ben (Jean) Egle and Joan Oullette; sisters-in-law Shirley Poyda, Mary Egle, and Bernice Holmes; and brother-in-law Gary (Diane) Holmes, along with many nieces and nephews.

 

She was preceded in death by her son Tom in 2020, her husband Ken in 2021, and her brother Chuck Egle in 2023.

 

Mary’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Waterford of Colby for the compassionate and attentive care she received over the past two and a half years. A special thank you goes to Erin Martin, Life Enrichment and Activities Director, for bringing so much joy and activity to Mary’s days — especially the Friday fish fry outings that she so looked forward to and truly enjoyed. The family also extends their sincere appreciation to the dedicated team at Heartland Hospice for their exceptional care and support.

 

A memorial fund is being established for Mary and will be decided by the family at a later date.