Aletha Fern (Osolin) Holcomb made her appearance into this world on February 19, 1920 in Peabody, Kansas. She was the second of five children of John and Rose (Bowyer) Osolin. Her older brother, Eugene, died in infancy in 1918. In the next five years, Aletha was joined by two sisters, Maxine and Betty. A brother, Dean, waited to join the family until Aletha was 10 years old. Aletha talked often of how she cared for Dean when he was a baby while Rose helped John farm, seine fish and do whatever it took to provide for their family. She formed a special bond with Dean during those first years of his life that carried throughout her lifetime.
Aletha’s first job was as a telephone operator working for eight cents an hour. She helped her parents with their filling station and creamery. She worked at the AAA office for several years. It was during this time span she met the love of her life, Burl Holcomb. They courted for a while and married on December 21, 1940 in Boise City, Oklahoma. Aletha worked with Burl on their farm/ranch in the Galatea area and drove back and forth to town to work. Burl left to serve in World War II in 1942. Aletha continued to run the farm and work in town until she had to discontinue farming and ranching and move to town. With her wages and Burl sending her his meager Army wages, Aletha saved enough to build a house. After Burl returned from the Army, they were finishing the house when an ember from a trash can landed on the roof and set it on fire. It burned to the ground. They had no insurance. Aletha and Burl were devastated, but once again adversity didn’t stop Aletha. She knew what had to be done and she set her mind on doing it. She began saving money and they built another house. Burl and Aletha were living in this house when their children were born. They were blessed with a boy on October 10, 1948, when Johnny Burl came into the world. He was followed 3 1/2 years later on Leap Day February 29, 1952, by a little sister, Vicki Anne. The Holcomb family was complete. At this time, Burl and Aletha owned and operated Holcomb Grocery. They were in the grocery business for 7 1/2 years before purchasing the Standard gas station and then built a motel beside it. Aletha operated this business with her husband for 15 years. Burl passed away October 4, 1971, leaving Aletha to continue operating the business by herself for an additional five years. She sold the station and motel in 1976. After she "retired" in 1976 until her death in 2003, Aletha worked at numerous jobs including the Kiowa County Abstract Office; was assistant rural mail carrier; helped Vicki in the Tastee Treat Drive Inn; received a State of Colorado Realtor Sales Associate License; worked for The State of Colorado Department of Rehabilitation through Seniors, Inc.; beaded amber necklaces and bracelets for Dr. Biernat’s husband Derek’s business; and her final "job" was once again delivering the mail to the residents at the nursing home in Colby. The residents affectionately called her "The Mail Lady."
Aletha’s interests were many. She learned years ago to oil paint. She had joined the Artist’s Guild in Eads. She collected Teddy Bears and accumulated over 3000 Teddy bears and memorabilia over the years. Aletha loved working with wood having learned the carpentry trade from her father. She refinished several pieces of furniture and had another piece she was getting ready to refinish; she re-upholstered furniture and built her own storage shed. Aletha loved getting up early in the mornings and going with Vicki to yard sales. She was always on the lookout for a special antique or an unusual Teddy Bear. Aletha loved to sew and made a lot of her family’s clothes when Johnny and Vicki were youngsters. Aletha was fascinated with computers, but was scared of them at the same time. Although she never quite mastered the use of the computer, she figured out how to play Spider Solitaire and would sit for hours enjoying herself. Aletha had a passion for words and loved to do crossword puzzles. Her interest and enthusiasm of stringing beads lead to her teaching her two oldest great grandchildren, Housten and McKenzie, how to make necklaces, bracelets and rings. She loved to hand-quilt. She loved to crochet. She was an avid bowler for many years and was excited when the Eads Bowling Alley first opened. Aletha served on the Kiowa County Library Board as well as the Weisbrod County Memorial Hospital Board, taking the place of her mother, Rose, who was a charter board member.
Aletha was a very devoted wife and mother. She made sure her children attended Sunday school and church. She always encouraged Johnny & Vicki to be active in sports, school and community affairs. Aletha grew up with music and she felt it was important for both Johnny and Vicki to take piano and accordion lessons and encouraged them to play in the band at school. She encouraged Johnny and Vicki to do well in school. Aletha was always there quietly, subtly and sometimes with frustration, encouraging them to do the best they could.
Aletha lived through the 1920’s and 30’s and learned at an early age how to survive when times were hard. She was exceptional with her finances. She could repair anything and was modest, not boastful of her talents. The decades of depression taught her lessons she remembered throughout her life -- Don’t spend foolishly and never throw anything away that you may need later and can’t afford.
Aletha was the mainstay of the family. She inherited her father’s Latvian dry wit and her mother’s sense of family. She was a very kind person who was a little timid. She enjoyed visiting, but it wasn’t easy for her to "join in." She was always humbly flattered when she was invited to attend various events. She never wanted to be in the way or be a burden to anyone. Aletha was very pleasantly surprised by all the cards she got in the mail when she became ill — and the cards that continued to come to her after she moved to the Colby Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby, Kansas. On one of Vicki’s more recent visits to see her mother, Aletha told her the nurses were amazed at how many cards she received almost daily. Vicki asked her if she realized how well-thought of she was and Aletha very humbly said "No." Aletha had a lot of friends in Kiowa County and was always thrilled when some of the local fishermen would show up at her door with a few carp caught at the local lakes. People would call and see if she wanted vegetables from their gardens. She was always very appreciative and would tell Vicki she felt bad taking their food if they might need it.
In her lifetime, Aletha had many names. Besides Aletha, she became Mrs. when she married Burl. "Momma" and "Mom" became her names for 55 years with the birth of her children. Her grandchildren and their friends called her "Grandma," "Grandmother" and "G-Ma" while Johnny and Vicki affectionately called her their "Go-Baby" since she always wanted to be in the car if it was leaving. Her youngest great granddaughter, Harley, renamed her a few months ago. She told Brad when he spoke to her at Thanksgiving she had a new name and it was "Mee Maw."
Aletha had a very subtle sense of humor and loved to laugh. She did not laugh at her own jokes, but when you would kid with her she always had a come back. Her nature was very gentle, firm and loving with her family. Some of her expressions were: "Oh My," or "Oh my, well, let’s think about this," or "Well, let’s sleep on this and it will all look different in the morning."
Aletha would want all of her grandchildren to know they were each very special to her in their own individual ways. They all held a special place in her heart. She was proud of each of them and she also worried about each of them. She was especially proud of her great grandchildren. She would hold them on her lap and rock, color pictures, watch a movie or just visit with them. Although Aletha was not openly demonstrative, there was never any doubt how deeply she loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Aletha departed this life very peacefully on December 14, 2003 at the Prairie Senior Living Complex in Colby, Kansas at the age of 83 years 10 months. She was preceded in death by her parents; by husband Burl; an infant grandson; and sister Maxine. Aletha is survived by her son, Johnny Burl and wife Toni Holcomb of Whitehouse, Texas; daughter Vicki Anne Morgan of Eads, Colorado; five grandchildren, Christina and husband Chipper Hugghins of Troup, Texas, Amy and husband Billy Gourley of Hoxie, Kansas; Bradley Morgan and fiancé Erin Hieb of Eads, Colorado; Erin Holcomb of Arp, Texas and Amanda Holcomb of Tyler, Texas; three step-grandchildren Amy Brown of Tyler, Texas; Justin Brown and Michael Brown both of Whitehouse, Texas; five great grandchildren: McKenzie and Peyton Hugghins, Housten and Harley Gourley, and Nya Morgan; sister Betty Lee Jacobs; brother Dean Osolin and his wife Jane; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.
Funeral services for Aletha were held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2003 at the United Methodist Church in Eads with Pastor Gary Goettel officiating. Musical selections were "In the Garden", "Softly and Tenderly" and "Beyond the Sunset" Casket bearers were Billy Gourley, Sean Wyatt, Dan Hugghins, Randy Richardson, Mike Lening and Larry Wyatt. Honorary casket bearers were Rich Hockett, Paul Johnson, Billy Deinlein, Ron Bickel, Jay Hammer, Paul Simmons and Raymond Wissel. Internment was at the Eads Cemetery with Brown Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.