J. Earl Holmes

Mankato Mortuary

1001 North Riverfront Drive

Mankato, MN 56001

507-388-2202

1. Earl Holmes, age 92, of Mankato died peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Pathstone Living.

A private funeral mass will be held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato with burial at Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.

James Earl Holmes was born September 27, 1927 to Leo and Regina (Mulcahy) Holmes in Waldorf, Minnesota. He graduated from Waldorf High School. He was united in marriage to Joan Daub on April 10, 1950 in Wabasso, Minnesota. Earl’s wife (Joan) died in 2001 and he married Rita Seifert on November 29, 2003. Earl served in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Ottawa during World War II. He attended Business College in Mpls, after World War II He worked for the SOO Line and Milwaukee Road Railroad’s as a telegraph operator. He joined the US Postal Service. During his long tenure with the US Postal Service, he became Postmaster and MSC manager of Mankato, Postmaster of Brighton, CO, then promoted to MSC Manager in Springfield, Illinois until he retired to Lake Francis, Elysian.

James Earl was a member of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW Post 950, American Legion Post 11, Kiwanis Club, United Way, NRA, Deer Hunter and Turkey Associations, Ducks Unlimited, the Walton League, and many other organizations. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Earl is survived by his wife, Rita of Mankato; four children, Chrissy (Don) Rasmussen of Brainerd, MN, Jim Holmes of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Pat (Mylene) Holmes of Mankato, MN, Mike (Kitty) Holmes of Minnetonka, MN; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Clarine Bisch; Rita’s six children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Earl Holmes is proceeded in death by his parents and his first wife, Joan.