Edward John HOLDEN

Edward John Holden

April 17, 1928 – June 21, 2023

Edward Holden, formerly of Beechy, SK passed away in Eston Jubilee Lodge on June 21, 2023 at the age of 95 years. Edward was born in Saskatoon, SK to a single mother who surrendered him for adoption shortly after his birth. He was formally adopted by Bert and Hannah Holden of Beechy, SK in 1929 and lived the rest of his life on the Holden family farm, until declining health necessitated his move into assisted living in 2019.

His roots were buried deeply on the farm, and he cherished his land and his life on it. He farmed with his dad from an early age and was always interested in fixing and tinkering with vehicles, equipment and anything that needed repair. Together with his dad, he built all the outbuildings on the farm and learned “on the job” the skills needed for electrical wiring, welding, and plumbing and repairs invented out of necessity. In the true spirit of a child of the depression, he never threw anything away because he might be able to fix it, or it might “come in handy one of these days”. He enjoyed travelling and over the course of his life visited many places in the United States and Canada as well as trips with his father-in-law to Germany, a visit to Holden family members in England and a meeting with his birth family in Sweden.  

As he would have wished, there will be no formal funeral service. His family will gather together to celebrate his life and legacy later this summer. Dad is survived by his children, Vivian, Marilyn and Arlene and their families which include eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Ella, his beloved children Allan and Lorie, his parents and parents-in-law, many brothers and sisters-in-law, and a half-brother in Sweden.

Dad lived a long and full life. We will miss you, dad, but we are glad that your long journey has taken you home to be reunited with many loved ones.

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed

It's the heart, afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream, afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying

That never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose

Lyrics by Amanda Mcbroom. As recorded by Bette Midler.

Rest in peace, dad. We love you.