Vera-Fern Holland

Vera-Fern Holland was a teacher. A true educator not only impacts the lives of their students, but they begin a chain reaction of learning that echoes throughout the entire community long after they are gone. So it was, and will always be, for “Mrs. Holland” who passed away peacefully on December 6th, 2018. Fern, as everyone knew her, was born on November 25th, 1931, in Jordan, Montana, to Helen (Mahoney) and Judson Vannoy. She joined her older sister Julia and was followed by her baby brother, Glen. Life was hard in extreme rural Montana during the Depression, so in 1934 the family moved to Olympia. When Fern was 11, her father passed away from cancer. With Julia leaving for college soon, Fern had to help her single mother make ends meet and care for Glen. After graduating from Olympia High School in 1950, Fern was fortunate to attend the University of LaVerne in LaVerne, California. Coincidently (or not) another person was attending LaVerne; a funny, yet serious boy from the orchards of Wenatchee, Larry Holland, whom Fern had met at summer church camps. In 1954, Larry and Fern both graduated from LaVerne with degrees in education, and they were married on August 21st of that same year. They remained in love for 64 years. Fern’s teaching career began in the Wenatchee Valley, but because Larry was drafted into the Army, she also taught in San Antonio, Texas, and later Honolulu, Hawaii, where Larry was stationed. After the couple moved back to Wenatchee, Fern soon began teaching first grade at Sunnyslope Elementary, where she remained until her retirement in 1989. Fern was a champion for literacy, giving the gift of reading to hundreds of students. No greater thing may be said of a person. Fern was a lifelong learner and encouraged others to do the same. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education. She purchased an Apple computer in the early 80s, and later was a dedicated Mac user. She kept books for the family cherry orchard and blueberry farm, read voraciously, wrote books, exchange taught in Australia, traveled, and arguably made the best peach cobbler in the Valley. There were few obstacles Fern could not overcome; one of her favorite sayings was, “All you have to do is…” and then she did it. Family was everything to Fern. She taught her children to be independent and strong. She seldom missed a music/sporting/drama event of her children or grandchildren, modeling that just being present for family is the best way to show love. Faith was a bedrock of Fern’s life; her children and grandchildren were imbued with Fern’s faith. It is this faith that sustains all of us, and gives us peace knowing Fern is in the everlasting arms of her Savior. Fern is survived by her husband, Larry Holland of Wenatchee, Washington; sister, Julia Roth of Lacey, Washington; daughter Kay-Lani Munro (Mike) of Happy Valley, Oregon; daughter Joni Britt (Ken) of Wenatchee Washington; son Dale Holland (Mary) of Enumclaw, Washington; grandchildren Stephanie Wetterlin (Kevin), Marcus Munro, Evan Britt, Tessa Britt, Will Holland, Katie Holland, Andy Holland and Ben Holland; and great grandchild Bryce Wetterlin. Fern was preceded in death by her brother, J. Glen Vannoy. A memorial service will be held at Celebration Lutheran Church, 801 8th St NE East Wenatchee, on January 5th, 2019 at 1:00 pm. Memorials may be made to the North Central Education Foundation, P.O. Box 1847, Wenatchee 98807.

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Vera-Fern Holland

November 25, 1931 - December 6, 2018