Pauleen Louise Holdt

Pauleen Louise Carlson Holdt passed away at her home at Glennwood Place in the presence of family &. Friends Monday, April 15th, 2024 in Vancouver, Washington, at the age of 92 . She had suffered from Parkinsonian disease for the last several years. She is survived by her son, Curt Holdt, her daughter in law Barbara, 2 grandchildren- Andreea Holdt of Vancouver, WA & Nick Holdt of Honolulu, Hawaii & her older sister, Inger Carlson of Marysville, WA, numerous nephews & nieces Dean(Vera) Peterson, Bradley, Karen(Ocean Shores WA) & Kristy Carlson. She was preceded in death by her younger son, Greg Holdt in July 2023, husband Hugh Holdt 2003, brothers Arthur & Rudy Carlson, father Olaf Carlson & Mother Louise Grove Carlson. She was born at home in Enumclaw, WA on October 14, 1931 to Olaf and Louise Carlson. Pauleen was the youngest of four siblings. Inger, her oldest sister survives her at 99 years of age. Pauleen grew up in Enumclaw during the depression on a family farm and graduated from Enumclaw High School. After high school Pauleen moved to Seattle, living at the YWCA , and working as an usherette at a movie theater. At a Seattle dance for servicemen ,she met her late husband Hugh Curt Holdt, who was injured & on crutches coming back from the war. Hugh Holdt passed away in 2003 from mesothelioma. Pauleen & Hugh were married for over 50 years and had two sons, Curt (born 1953) and Greg (born 1958). Greg unfortunately passed away last summer at the age of 65, breaking his mother's heart. Pauleen and Hugh raised their boys between Seattle, Florida and Vancouver, WA. After retirement Pauleen and Hugh spent time living in Arizona as snowbirds during the winter and then summers at the Hoods Canal in Washington. Not liking wind or cold water, she seemed to like Arizona better. A good day for her was lounging out in the sun and tanning, reading a magazine on the British Royals, & drinking a strawberry lemonade. even in her 90s. There were a few things she loved about Washington also-her Hood Canal friends(Mina & Alice) who with she shared many adventures, Mt Rainier, her children, her daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Pauleen was a housewife and mother, but spent time volunteering at Southwest Washington Medical Hospital Auxiliary in the gift shop & bringing gifts to patient rooms She was also very proud of her Norwegian Scandinavian heritage, became a member of Sons of Norway, where she loved going her son Greg to eat lutefisk and lefse. Pauleen and her sister Inger became good friends as they matured, & even travelled to Norway together, visiting the village of Trondheim where their father was born. Pauleen enjoyed her granddaughter Andreea singing the Swedish birthday song "Ja Ma Hon Leva" every year on her birthday. Literally it means Yes, may you live! Which made her tear up with happiness. After the passing of Hugh, her husband in 2003, Pauleen continued to travel south to Arizona for the winter. There she was lucky to meet another wonderful man, Mick Edwards, to have as her companion in life for the next 20 years. They spent as much time as they could together up until the very end even though they had a long-distance relationship between Canada and the US. He took her traveling the world and she got to visit the UK, South Africa and the Caribbean among other places. When they couldn't be in the same country, he still called her every day, and this made her smile. Pauleen's early life living on a farm gave her a lifelong love of animals. She loved her dog Boog, and her cat BB (short for Black Beauty). During her later years at her Retirement home Glenwood Place, she enjoyed visits from her sons, daughter in law and granddaughter who would bring their pets over to visit, offering ice cream or treats to all. It lit up her day putting puzzles together with family or anyone who came to visit her room. And of course, her favorite puzzles usually included cute little animals. She would make up stories about the animals, how they were feeling, happy or sad or if one was being naughty. We would like to especially thank a few people who helped with taking wonderful care of Pauleen as her Parkinsonian disease progressed, in helping to keep her comfortable, & happy: Peace Health Hospice ( especially Nurse Ginny) & the helpful staff of Glennwood Place-nurses, CNA's, med aid (Rae), friendly front desk greeters, & even the car drivers for medical appointments who made the effort to help make her life better. We would like to thank Mick Edwards from British Columbia, Canada who came to stay & spend time with her & help as an advocate in her care, when we couldn't be there. Also, Linda Nelson, a family friend, cohort of Pauleen's in the day, who also would drop what she was doing to come help Pauleen out. A private graveside service for close family & friends will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 2 o'clock pm to lay Pauleen & Greg to rest. Memorial donations may be made to Peace Health Hospice.

Pauleen Louise Holdt

October 14, 1931 - April 15, 2024