A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 3 p.m., at the Gridley Christian Church, 580 Hazel Street, Gridley for Mary K. "Rooks" Holmberg, 87, of Oroville, California. She passed away Friday, September 18, 2009 at County Crest Health Care Center in Oroville of natural causes. Mary was born October 13, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was a long time resident of Butte County. She enjoyed quilting, cooking, sewing, traveling, collecting dolls, and played the organ. She was a member of the Foothill Community Church in Oroville, CA, a member of the Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital Pink Ladies, a Boy Scouts of America Den Mother, and she worked with Job's Daughters. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Eva Louk; 1 son, Phillip Dean Rooks; 1 daughter, Patricia Louise Rooks; and 1 step-son, James Lambert Holmberg. She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Arwed "Art" Holmberg of Oroville, CA; 2 sons: Victor David Rooks & wife Mary of Pawhuska, OK, and Charles William Rooks & wife Renea of Corning, CA; 2 daughters Marilena L. Mercier & husband Ronald of Gridley, CA, and Rebecca Ann Payne & husband Gary of San Jose, CA; and 1 step- daughter Linda Douglas of Owauasso, OK; 3 step-sons: Brent Thomas Holmberg of San Francisco, CA, Bruce Edward Holmberg of University Place, WA, and Bryan Andrew Holmberg & wife Ginny of San Jose, CA. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 42 great- grandchildren, and 4 great-great- grandchildren. A Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 22, at Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel, from 5-8 p.m. Pastor John Sparks will officiate at the services. Interment will be held at Gridley-Biggs Cemetery. Contributions to the Grace & Glory Gospel Society, P.O. Box 803, Mountain Grove, MO 65711, are suggested by the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.
Published in Kansas City Star on September 23, 2009