She was born in Abilene, Kan., on Jan. 13, 1925, which was a Friday the 13th. She took great delight each time her birthday fell on a Friday. Her parents were Elmer Dennis Shoemaker and Alice Dent Mason Shoemaker. She grew up in Abilene, graduating from Abilene High School in 1942. She attended school in Chicago, Ill., for a while.
She married Albert Holesko on June 13, 1945, in San Angelo, Texas, and they eventually settled in North Tonawanda, N.Y. She divorced in 1956 and returned with the children to Abilene to live with her mother, Alice. After Alice’s death in 1958, Loeva moved to Stillwater, Okla., to be near her sister Helen. Loeva worked as a secretary for various departments at Oklahoma State University including the Alumni Association and Central Mailing Services. She retired after 25 years of service.
Loeva loved cats and every stray seemed to know she was a soft touch for adoption. Tennis was a favorite sport which started back in high school where she won trophies for her abilities and she played throughout her adult life until she couldn’t find partners to play with. Her real passion was bowling. She bowled for over 50 years in several leagues and multiple times per week, slowly cutting back until finally having to quit in 2011. The “girls” were her other family. She was an avid OSU sports fan, especially wrestling, which she attended during the 1960s and 1970s with her sister. Whenever possible, she would watch or listen on the radio to all the football and basketball games. Her interest also extended to the pro sports, especially the Spurs.
Loeva will be remembered by many for her easy-going nature, her directness, her wit, and her off-beat sense of humor that kept everyone laughing. Though not the best cook in the world, there are many that will miss her for her cabbage rolls and kieflies.
She is survived by her children; Al, and his wife Deb, of Stillwater, Sherl, and her friend Darrell, of Stillwater and Stephen, and his wife Teri, of Missouri; several grandchildren, Chad, and his wife Monica, of Maryland, Amy of Texas, Jessica of Georgia and Joshua, and his wife Kendall, of California; and her favorites, the great-grand children, Hayden and Harper of Maryland and Daniel, Avery and Thalia of California. She is also survived by her niece, Monette Miller and her children Mona and Matthew, all of Tulsa.
Loeva was preceded in death by her parents and her only sister, Helen Mayo.
As with her wishes, she will be cremated and no services are planned. Memorials can be made in her name to the Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue or Frontier Lanes Grand Prix League (a scholarship program for youth and high school bowlers), in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, Okla., 74075.
Friends may leave condolences for the family via an online guestbook available at www.pmcfh.com.
This obituary was written by and paid for by the family of Loeva Mae Holesko.