Sylbert “Bert” Arleen Holly

JESUP - Sylbert “Bert” Arleen Holly, 87, of Jesup and formerly of Harpers Ferry, died Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, at Oak Park Estates in Cedar Falls.

Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the American Lutheran Church, Jesup, with burial at St. Athanasius Cemetery in Jesup.

Sylbert was born Jan. 16, 1937, in Luana, the daughter of Paul Kunkat and Alice (Smith) Kunkat. She graduated from high school in Harmony, Minnesota with the Class of 1955. During high school she participated in band, vocal and drama and was also a nanny for a couple of kids she adored. With the money saved from being a nanny she went on to become a registered nurse, graduating in 1958 from the Methodist Kahler School of Nursing. Bert was married in 1959 and was blessed with two children, Laurie and Mark. In April 1977, she met the love of her life, Norbert Holly. They were married on June 4, 1977, in Monona. With this marriage a blended family became one with the addition of Virgil, Barb and Brenda, who she considered her own. Sylbert and Norbert made their home in Monona for many years until their retirement in Harpers Ferry.

Bert was always a mom first and her nursing career followed a close second. She worked as a registered nurse in different hospitals, even delivering a baby in the emergency room. She then was a school nurse in Maynard, Iowa, Northgate Manor Nursing Home in Waukon, where she would occasionally be known for bringing residents home for supper with our family, and a school nurse at MFL, Monona, until her retirement.

Sylbert was quick to tell you that her favorite job was school nursing where she could educate students on not only health matters but also just being a good and caring person. Bert had many talents including sewing, painting, cooking, gardening and writing poems and stories. You name it, Bert could make it. You would often find her selling the crafts she made at Holly’s Hobby Hut and going to craft shows. She was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Monona and helped with church services in Harpers Ferry by reading and writing devotions.

She was, first and foremost, a devoted wife and mother. Her love for us was the bedrock of our family. It was a love that knew no bounds. A love that was both gentle and fierce. A love that guided, protected and nurtured us. She was our first teacher, our confidant, our anchor in life’s storms. She celebrated our victories, no matter how small, and she stood by us through our challenges, offering her wisdom and unwavering support. She will never be forgotten.

Bert is survived by her husband, Norbert Holly of Jesup; her children, Virgil (Shelly) Holly of Kelley, Laurie (Bill) Even of Jesup, Mark (Mary) Finley of New Prague, Minnesota, Barb (Paul) Skyberg of Ft. Peck, Montana, and Brenda (Darren) Frank of Los Angeles, California; 12 grandchildren; Michelle Krivanek, Ryan Even, Megan Calcara, Shawn Even, Joe Agnew, Bill Busch, Laura Stolpe, Darren Frank, Andre Frank, Nicholas Skyberg, Anna Eversmeyer and Katy Smith; 20 great grandchildren; and one sister, Pauline Fligge of Rochester, Minnesota; and her “boys”, Rocky and Charlie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Gloria Kenyon; and one granddaughter, Emily Elizabeth Skyberg.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be posted at www.White-MtHope.com. White Funeral Home, Jesup, is in charge of the arrangements.