Leona Marie Holle Brian, known to her friends as Holle, passed away on August 30, 2023 at the age of 96. She was born in Union Township, Indiana in 1926 to Otto E. Holle and Adele Schamlerhoch Holle. Raised in Union Township and Decatur, IN, Holle earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, where she studied voice, piano and organ. There she met her husband Fred B. Brian of Bloomington, IL, and they were married in 1949. They lived in Normal, IL, where Holle was Director of Music at Christ Lutheran Church and Fred taught painting and printmaking at Illinois Wesleyan University. After Fred’s retirement from teaching, they moved to Stillwater, MN.
Beloved wife of Frederick Bruce Brian (deceased), Holle was mother to Shelley Cameron Brian Morgan (deceased); and is survived by daughter Holle Meredith Brian (Rich S. Smith); grandchildren Hayley Nelson, Liam Morgan and Charlotte Morgan Walton (Simon Walton); and great-grandchildren Sam and Georgina Walton.
Donations in Holle’s memory may be made to the Shelley Morgan Scholarship Fund for students of the theater arts at Illinois Wesleyan University on their
Honor and Memorial Giving webpage.
A Celebration of Life for Leona Holle Brian
Will be held
Wednesday, Dec. 27 from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Boutwells Landing Chapel
5600 Norwich Parkway
Oak Park Heights, MN 55082