Conrad Marvin "Connie" Holmvig

Conrad "Connie" Marvin Holmvig age 80 of Rabbit Lake Township died on March 14, 2015 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on December 26, 1934 in Iron Hub to Marvin and Marie (Burgwald) Holmvig. Conrad married Marilyn Mathson on October 1, 1960. He graduated from the Aitkin High School class of 1953. He served as paratrooper in the army two times and was ordered to active duty during the Cuban Crisis in 1961 as a reservist. His "claim to fame" was that he went through basic training with Elvis Presley. Conrad worked in the Hanna and Rabbit Lake mines. When the mines closed, Connie worked on road construction during the summers, traveling throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the winters, Connie enjoyed running a trap line and would always have skins drying in the basement by the wood stove. He was a retired member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 and Anderson Brothers Construction in Brainerd.

Connie had many interests including feeding wildlife, bird watching, tropical fish, and his hobby farm which included raising beef cattle and most recently his mini ponies. Connie was an avid gardener and loved his flowers and gardens. He also loved anything solar. Connie was a daily customer at the North Country CafAC. "round table" at 5 a.m. He also taught snowmobile training and gun safety programs. He was a retired member of the Cuyuna Fire Department, and served on the Cuyuna City Council.

Connie is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marilyn; 1 daughter, Michelle (Scott) Schachte of Superior, WI; 2 sons, Brian (Jennifer) Holmvig of Crosby and Bruce (Angie) Holmvig of Foley; 4 grandchildren, Kati, Ryan, Nathan, and Brayden Holmvig; 1 sister, Eileen (Gary) Palm of New Brighton; and 1 brother, Jerry Holmvig of Crosby.

Preceding him in death are his parents and 1 brother, Stan Holmvig.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby with full military honors being presented by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443 of Ironton. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby and 1 hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date.