Elfreda Pearl Eller Holmes, age 85, passed away May 11, 2016, in Tonasket, Washington. She was born March 21, 1931, in Seattle, Washington.

The family moved to Wenatchee, Wash., when she was six-months-old. Elfreda accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior when she was nine-years-old and was baptized into the Wenatchee Church of the Brethren. She lived in Wenatchee until she graduated from high school and then went on to college at the Church of the Brethren College at LaVerne, Calif., where she became engaged to a family friend since childhood.

She married Fredric Wayne Holmes in Wenatchee on December 23, 1951. They made their home in Tonasket, Wash., where Fred worked in agriculture while he started an apple orchard and built the home they lived in for nearly 60 years, raising a family of five children. She was secretary for the Ellisforde/Whitestone Church of the Brethren parish for over 15 years, a teacher’s aid with the Tonasket School District for three years, and volunteered with the American Red Cross in disaster child care relief traveling around the United States and to Puerto Rico. Her passions included her faith in Christ, family, music, gardening, sewing, multiple forms of needlework, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, butterflies, enjoying nature and reading.

Elfreda was very involved in her community and was a member of the Whitestone Church of the Brethren, Whitestone Ladies Aid, Grange, Tonasket Garden Club, North Country Car Club, Christian Motorcycle Association, and a 61 year charter member of the Orthopedic Guild.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Fred Holmes; daughters Beth (Keith) Nonemaker, Connie (Dan) Bedient, Pam (Dave) Liley and Lauri (Johnny) Paez; eight grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren and her brother, Eldon Eller.

She is preceded in death by their son, Rick; her parents, Jay and Geraldine Eller and her brother, Vernard Eller.

A Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 21, 2016 12:00 Noon at the Ellisforde Church of the Brethren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orthopedic Guild or the Jesus Film Project.

Bergh Funeral Service and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.