Marie Mae Holck

MARIE MAE BORGERS HOLCK was born on May 7, 1935, in Norman Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota to Gerrit and Bertha (Wolvendyk) Borgers. She moved with her family to Arco when she was four years old. Marie attended school in Arco for several years, and finished her education in Ivanhoe. She was also raised in her mother's faith of Jehovah's Witnesses. After her schooling, she worked for a short while at a potato plant near Watertown, South Dakota. Marie was then employed at the Stork Brentwood Egg Plant in Tyler, Minnesota until the plant closed.

In 1955, at the Lake Benton Saddle Horse Holiday, she became acquainted with Rondo Holck. Their common interest in horses was the beginning of a long and happy relationship. On September 20, 1957, they were married in Springfield, Minnesota. After their marriage, they rented a farm near Ruthton for a few years. Their son, Brian and daughter, Brenda were born during this time. They eventually had the opportunity to buy Rondo's uncle's farm, and moved there in 1961. This family farm is the place they have called home ever since.

Horses and other animals were a large part of Marie's life. She was an avid horsewoman from an early age, and won many trophies and ribbons throughout the years. Marie and her family would ride horses nearly every day. They would raise and train horses at their farm, which made it far more than a business, but also an enjoyable pastime that involved the entire family. Marie and Rondo owned and operated their horse farm business together as a team, known as Holck's Quarter Horses. She was also a long time member of various horse related organizations and activities: Lake Wilson Saddle Club, Southwest Trail Riders Association, Windom Quarter Horse Sales, American Quarter Horse Association and Minnesota Quarter Horse Association.

Marie's love for animals was her passion from an early age. As a young lady, she nursed baby gophers to health and had even adopted three orphaned baby skunks. She raised other varieties of animals over the years such as calves, chickens, and goats. In recent years, she adored her cats and dogs at the farm and always tried to make sure her pets were well cared for. Marie also enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up, going to horse shows and trail rides, attending auctions, gardening, reading, traveling and shopping.

Marie passed from this life on November 7, 2013 at the Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 78 years and six months. She will be greatly missed by her family, neighbors and friends.

Marie is lovingly remembered by her husband, Rondo of Ruthton, Minnesota; children: Brian (Kathy) Holck of Ruthton, Minnesota and Brenda (Dale) Swanson of Tyler, Minnesota; grandchildren: Tashauna Swanson of Marshall, Minnesota, Travis Holck of Jackson, Minnesota, Taylor (Liz) Holck of Madison, South Dakota and Hunter Holck of Ruthton, Minnesota; one sister Marcia Kruger of Kennewick, Washington; her sister-in-law, Carolyn Holck of Tyler, Minnesota; four nieces: Shirley (Roger) Altheide of Marshall, Minnesota, Kathy (Stuart) Jacobson of Brandon, South Dakota, Ann Borgers of Busto Arsizio, Italy, and Terri (Michael) Lovre of Tyler, Minnesota; and one nephew: Mark Kruger of Seattle, Washington. Marie is preceded in death by her parents; her siblings: Genevieve Peterson, Albert Borgers, Marvin Borgers and Bernard Borgers; and one nephew, Richard 'Dick' Holck.