Elinor Agnes Vick passed away peacefully at home August 16, 2023, age 82, with her husband Gary Holm at her side, and other family present, following a long battle with covid complications. Elinor was born March 11, 1941, in Neosho, Missouri, to Rudolph and Vera (Boesel) Branum. Her father worked for the Department of Interior as a Fish Culturist. In 1943, Elinor’s father was conscripted into the U.S. Army and she moved with her family to her grandfather’s farm near Niederwald, Texas, while her dad was deployed for WWII. In 1946, she moved with her family to Montana living at fish hatcheries in Bozeman, then Creston, and finally Miles City starting in 1949. Elinor’s school years began at Cayuse Prairie Elementary in Creston, and then continued in Miles City where she graduated from Custer County High School in 1959. Her early years included activity in Girl Scouts, 4-H, and working as a volunteer hospital “Candy Striper” for Holy Rosary Hospital. After high school, she attended Eastern Montana College (now MSU Billings). In 1961, Elinor married Charles Vick, an Air Force radar technician just finishing his service who would soon be privately employed at radar sites overseas in Turkey and later in Alaska. Elinor moved to Turkey with her husband for several years, and later to Greece to continue living near her husband’s employment. Later, Elinor and Charles made Miles City their permanent home. Three children were born to them: Diana, Rhonda, and Chuck (Charles, Jr.). Husband Charles passed away in 1996.
In 2002, Elinor married Gary Holm, previously proprietor and operator of the Longhorn Restaurant and Bar in Rosebud, Montana, and then employed at ACE Hardware in Miles City for over 15 years. Elinor was active in many Miles City organizations through the years, particularly the Home Demonstration Club and Elks Order of Does, often serving as an officer. Her most beloved activity was art, particularly ceramics in which she was highly skilled. Painting was also a joy for her and for many years Elinor worked at Coffrin Studio in Miles City as a colorist for L.A. Huffman photographs. The colorized versions available of Huffman photos today are often her work. Later, Elinor was employed at the Miles City Walmart store for 20 years overseeing the craft section where she was well-known to local craft and sewing enthusiasts. She retired from Walmart in 2017.
Elinor was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Vera, her first husband Charles Vick, brother Paul, brother Jerry, and sister Joanne.
Elinor is survived by her husband, Gary Holm of Miles City; her daughter Diana Vick Armstrong (Martin) of Everett, Washington; her daughter Rhonda Vick of Kalispell, Montana, who is the mother of Elinor’s beautiful granddaughters Rainleigh and Chloe; and by her son Charles Vick, Jr. of San Diego, California; and by her step daughters Michelle Holm of Perley, Minnesota, mother of Elinor’s step grandchildren Amanda Firkins and Carrie Walz; and stepdaughter Leslie Holm of Perley, Minnesota, mother of step granddaughter Allison, and several step great-grandchildren, all of whom refer to Elinor as their mom or grandma; she is also survived by her nephew Greg Branum (Victoria Urisote) of Miles City, nephew Scott Branum of Miles City, niece Sheila Arnett of Crestline, California, niece Risa Eckardt (Mike) of Saint Paul, Minnesota, niece Tylese Buck (Rex Hambrock) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, nephew Matthew Branum (Marji Lepinski) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, special friend Judy Branum of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, brother Allen Branum of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and brother Rodney Branum of Miles City.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday August 22, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rite of Committal
10:30 a.m.
Wednesday August 23, 2023
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Victoria McBride says
I remember all the trouble Rhonda and I caused in high school and Elinor always took it with a grain of salt. She was like a second mother to me during those years. I was lucky enough to have been able to take a road trip with her a couple of years back to see Rhonda, Rainy and Coco in Kalispell for a week. Boy did we laugh on that trip! She was always a joy even in the last couple of years when her health was declining. I will never forget her ❤️
Peggy Logan says
Elinor was my favorite coworker in the craft and fabric section at Walmart, we opened the store together. She will be missed by many!
Becky Johnson says
Diana,Rhonda and Charlie
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Because our moms were best friends I have to many memories to write down. Elinor was an amazing woman and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Mary Ann Liles says
To all of Elinor’s family: my condolences on the loss of a wonderful person. I remember her especially at Christmas when I display the beautiful ceramic pieces she made. I remember when she married Gary; she was so happy. RIP, Elinor.
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles
Charice Virag says
You were my favorite Doe!!! Will miss you terribly. You’re in a better place now. Will be praying for you family.
Donna Leitholt-Taylor says
Played Bunco for many years with Elinor. She was a fun vibrant person. She is missed
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
To Gary and all of Elinor’s family & friends-
I’m so sorry to hear of Elinor’s passing. She was a sweetheart and will be missed by many. May all your beautiful memories lift you up and keep you😇
Karen Morris says
I was saddened to learn of Elinor’s passing. She was a delightful person and I treasure the memories of many wonderful conversations. May your memories provide you with comfort.
Delite (Johnson) Brown says
Elinor was like a mother to me! Amazing wonderful and funny. So creative words cannot describe. I will miss her dearly but have joyous memories of her and her family ( and her crazy cross eyed Siamese cat) God bless you all
Pam Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to Elinor’s family. It was always a treat to receive one of her bowling “prizes” that she made; many good memories of bowling days and then visiting her years later at WalMart. Treasure the memories!
Pat Franklin says
Gary, I’m so sorry for your loss. Enjoyed bowling with you guys. Eiinor was so sweet and fun.
Yvette Stene says
Best Girl Scout Leader ever! She had such an impact on my young life. Sending much love to her family.
David & Chong Ae Boyd says
I meet this lady once at Walmart and had a conversation with her about the spellings of her name. Very nice lady which are so hard to meet in today’s world. God Bless the Family you had a real gem in the family.
Louise de Montigny says
My condolences to the family. I knew Elinor from Walmart where she cut many pieces of fabric for me and we had great visits, both there and anywhere we ran into each other. She was a lovely, caring, fun lady that always had a kind word.
Jeanne Vetch says
I am so sorry for your loss. Elinor was so creative and artistic. When I would see her in Walmart she always told me about her granddaughters. She was so delighted to share those stories.
Joan Bunke says
I knew Eleanor while I resided in Mikes City. Beautiful woman, smile and laugh! I remember her from the Elks Club.
God has called another angel home.
Peace and loving memories to her famiy🙏🦋
Vicki McLean says
Greg & family; I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Aunt. Know that my thoughts & prayers are with you during this time of loss.
Helen Steele says
Almost a year ago! I just searched her out on Facebook and learned of Elinor ‘s passing. She and I met when we opened the Walmart store together. What a treasure! Her talent lives on in my house with the gifts she made. I introduced her to Gary! I’m so glad they had those years together. I’m so glad to have enjoyed working with her for 6 years too. RIP
Helen Johnson Steele.