Cecil Edward Holmes

Cecil Edward Holmes, 94, of Hudson, met his Savior and was reunited with his wife on Friday, November 17, 2023. He was born on May 10, 1929, on the family farm NE of Hudson, the son of Dale and Grace Franck Holmes. Cecil graduated from Hudson High School in 1947 and worked on the farm. When things were slow, Cecil would go to town and work for Howard Cornelius in his blacksmith shop. In 1957, he purchased the blacksmith shop and thus was born Holmes Welding and Fabrication Ltd. where he retired at age 86. Cecil married his lifelong sweetheart, Kathleen Ann Wason, on July 12, 1949, and the union was blessed with 5 children. Cecil used to laugh that he and Kathleen had 4 children in 33 months, and then they got a TV.

Cecil was a soft spoken, non-confrontational man who said what he meant and did what he said. Yet, he despised change, even if it was something as simple as moving his recliner in the living room. He believed success in marriage was predicated on not going to bed mad and having a short memory. As a blacksmith, Cecil loved mentoring young blacksmiths, especially his son Jim. He was active with the Blacksmith Association and served as president of the chapter, state, and national associations. He was named Blacksmith of the Year in 1964. Cecil was a member of El Kahir Shrine and Coyn Lodge with the Masons.

An accident on the farm caused Cecil to lose his left ring finger, which prompted him to tell the grandkids to "give me 4." He loved pulling the kids around on sleds using the 3-wheeler, what they called "crack the whip." Cecil served on the Hudson Fire Department for 10 years. He enjoyed target shooting, and shooting off fireworks in the burn barrel, especially acetylene bombs.

Cecil is survived by his children Jim (Leayn) Holmes, John "Jay" (Stacie) Holmes, Carol Holmes, and Karen (Frank) Bahit, all of Hudson, and Marianne (James) Tiffany of Chetek, WI; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, and brother Jack Holmes.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the Community Church of Hudson, 226 Eldora Rd, Hudson with private family burial in the Hudson Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from 4-6 PM at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be directed to the Community Church of Hudson or Cedar Valley Hospice. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.