Rev. Richard Arvid Holmquist

Age 81, passed from this life into the presence of His Lord, December 1, 2010, at the Suite Living of Maplewood, MN following a lengthy illness. He was born September 28, 1929, to Ernest & Ruth Holmquist (Weekley), on the family farm at Menahga, Minnesota. Following the death of his father, his mother remarried and the family moved to Park Rapids, MN, where he graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1948. After leaving home, he attended North Central Bible Institute (now North Central University) in Minneapolis, graduating in 1951. While studying at NCBI, he met and married Mary Virginia (Ginger) Anderson, in 1950, and from that union seven children were born. Together they began a life of ministry in Minnesota and Michigan. He was ordained by the General Council of the Assemblies of God and pioneered two churches; Shakopee Assemblies of God Church, and the Grand Rapids Assemblies of God Church, both in Minnesota. Additionally, he pastored the Assembly of God in Petoskey, Michigan and the Jacobson Community Church in Jacobson, Minnesota. He also conducted revival and evangelistic meetings in a variety of churches. As he neared retirement, he served as interim pastor at several Assemblies of God churches within the Minnesota District. After the death of his first wife, Ginger, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Ronchak, in 1992, and together they continued his ministry until his health began to fail. Most of his life, he preferred to remain bi-vocational; an astute pastor and highly skilled cabinet-maker. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was known for his contagious sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ginger; parents, Ernest & Ruth Holmquist (Weekley); step-father, Vern Weekley; brothers, Philip (infant) and John; sisters, Ruth (infant) and Josephine Kuns; stepbrothers: Patrick Weekley, David Weekley, & Lesley Weekley; nephews: Boyd Weekley, Chad Weekley, Greg Weekley; step-granddaughter, Tiffany Johnson; sister-in-law, Irene Holmquist. He is survived by his wife Betty (Ronchak) Holmquist, Little Canada, MN; son, Rev.Paul (Marilyn) Holmquist, Stillwater, OK; daughters: Marijo (Ray) Sarff, Lino Lakes, MN; Shari (Dave) Bergstrom, Woodbury, MN; Cindy (Greg) Doyle, Oakdale, MN; Twila (Mike) Buesing, Oakdale, MN; Kris (David) Anderson, Maplewood, MN; Nancy (Tim) Merrins, Spring Lake Park, MN; stepsons: Andy (Lori) Ronchak, Eagan, MN; Rick (Deena) Ronchak, Lakeville, MN; Tony (Sheri) Ronchak, Rosemount, MN; stepdaughters: Kris (David) Kevorkian, Glendale, CA; Diane (Michael) Jacobson, Hibbing, MN; Terry Rasti, San Clemente, CA; Laura (Ray) Nikkel, Grand Rapids, MN; Beth (Paul) Napoli, Wyoming, MN; 34 grandchildren, 15 great-grand children; brothers: Sibert (Blanche) Holmquist, Eden Prairie, MN; Walter (Alice) Holmquist, St. Louis Park, MN; Ivan (Jeannie) Holmquist, Anoka, MN; Melvin (Patricia) Holmquist, Sun City, AZ; Ben (Cindy) Weekley, Detroit Lakes, MN; stepbrothers: Dean Weekley, George Weekley, Boyd Weekley; stepsisters: Donna (Earl) Holmes, Park Rapids, MN; Katie (Melvin) Hockstatter, Park Rapids, MN; Sister-in-law: Sharon (Holmquist) Lasher, TX; brother-in-law: Richard Kunz, Walker, MN; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 2-5PM on Sunday, December 5 at HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM-PURCELL FUNERAL HOME, 515 Highway 96 West at Mackubin, Shoreview. Funeral services are being held at Summit Church (Assemblies of God), 845 Summit Avenue at Victoria, St. Paul, MN at 11AM (visitation begins at 10AM) on Monday, December 6 with the Reverend Paul Holmquist and Reverend William Wampler co-officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Cemetery in St. Paul. Memorials preferred to the family.

Tributes

Rev. Richard Arvid Holmquist

September 28, 1929 - December 1, 2010

Tributes

Rev. Richard Arvid Holmquist

September 28, 1929 - December 1, 2010

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