Remembering Minnesota Writer and Poet Bill Holm

Sounds like you have good friends, Jim. A colleague tells me he wasn't looking so robust lately... that's too bad.

For those folks who haven't heard him in a short form, try out segment three from this ep of A Prairie Home Companion. He follows Garrison's homage to Kerouac.

As an alumni of the Literature/Creative Writing program at Southwest MN State, I consider Bill one of my mentors. He was not only a great poet and essayist, but an incredible teacher and such a good and decent man that if everyone who was touched by his life wrote a memory on a post it note you could pave the streets of Minneota-- and likely much of China, Iceland, and Madagascar as well. He will be greatly missed.

Hi Julia,

I personally knew Bill Holm as he was an English Professor of mine at Southwest State University during my freshmen year- 1997+1998- 11+12 years ago now. I took a Global Studies Cluster Class with him- as a select group of students was picked to travel to Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark- it was the best trip of my entire life and I still say that after 12 years now. The Cluster Class focused on Scandinavian Writings, Essays, a Social Work and Welfare Class with Dr. Eric Markusen- who sadly passed away also in January of 2007- he also taught with Bill- and traveled with on this amazing trip. I remember reading Beawolf, literature about Scandinavia, meeting the President of Iceland- when Bill Holm presented the President with gifts from Minnesota, traveling on the ferry between Sweden and Denmark, participating in Journal Entries, Discussion, and this trip/experience has impacted me for the rest of my life- and it continues to do so. I will miss his e-mails that he sent to stay in touch, the postcards from Iceland, and when I applied to Teach English in South Korea in May of 2006- he kindly wrote me a reference letter- even though I hadn't seen him in years. I thank him for that. This news today, came ironically as the snow is falling down hard here by the shores of Lake Superior and Duluth- I guess, I even had a few tears in my eyes, when the MPR radio announcer announced it- sometimes, things just hit you too personally. I can only hope that he is at peace now and that his works of literature, his stories, teachings, poems, will inspire others- he will be greatly missed. I am grateful for all the memories I have and the travels as well. A sad day for Minnesota- we lost a true, great poet. May he be in peace.
In tears,
Emily Louise Dockendorf- Duluth, Minnesota

Bill could write "Ode to SewerStromenn?"

Sincere condolences to Bill's family and friends.

Bill's jocular character, perceptive words, and eclectic musicality always brought joy, wisdom, and noble purpose to his widely extended family of readers and listeners.

His land-locked-Viking presence, on this good earth, will be sadly missed. But the resonance of his mellifluous voice and his outsize influence will still persist -- in his books, within our hearts, and echoing across the windswept waves of his much-favored Prairies.

Thank you again Bill.
Glenn W. Strand, Minneapolis, Minn.

When I hear Bill Holm's voice or read his words, I hear Minnesota. For a few moments what is true, good, and beautiful seems familiar. Thank you for your life and sharing your gifts with us. I think you might have enjoyed the ironic coincidence of having the announcement of your death under a banner reading "Time is running out!" The Icelanders of the sagas greatly esteemed the ability to make a witty statement after receiving a mortal wound. They will enjoy your company in Valhalla.

Bill and Howard Zinn were looking forward to meeting each other on April 6 at O'Shaughnessy Auditorium where Bill was to read two of his poems in a performance of readings from Zinn's "Voices of a People's History." I had introduced the Zinns to Bill's poetry and they were great fans, and Bill was a great admirer of Zinn's.
Bill was larger-than-life in every way, enjoying life to its fullest. I can't believe we won't have him as part of our lives, our landscape, anymore. My sincere condolences to his wife.

Pat West, Feb 26, 2009, 6:35 pm CST

I am deeply grieved.
Bill was a very visible member of the Icelandic Lutheran church I serve in Minneota. He had his favorite place in the balcony, where his attention was not diminished by an obstructed view. I knew to preach honestly and without guile, for he was a bellwether of falsity. I was honored as he played piano with his friend Daniel Rieppel at my installation. For their service I promised a bottle of Akvavit, know by Danes as "the drink that is the Danish translation for 'Water of Life'." I pray that he is toasting us now.
My prayers are with all who mourn this creative and honest man.
Stephen Rasmusson, Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Winds of the Prairie Ministry.

I got the news of Bill's death via text message while shopping for groceries at the Hy-Vee here in Marshall. We had just been let out of school early for the day, due to the snow, so I left my English classroom, picked up some winter food and then sat at home in my recliner reading poems from "The Dead Get By With Everything" and "Playing The Black Piano" aloud. I lost my breath for a moment when reading his ode to Paul Wellstone and hit the line...."So we go on to write the same poem, sing the same sad song yet once more/not for the dead who have gone over to the insensible kingdome/but for us who must now carry on without them...This time, as so often before, Death snatched a big one." Indeed he did, Bill. Indeed he did. I will miss his readings in town as well as short conversations at the store, the school, concerts, etc. A great, and far-too-undervalued rural Minnesota voice.

I was raised on the thoughts and writings of Bill Holm. A singularly and uncommonly beautiful voice, Bill was a friend and mentor to myself and many I know. I grew up in a town near to his, in western Minnesota. My mother had a tiny book called "Chocolate Chip Cookies for your Enemies", which was so worn with reading, the words had faded. He was filled with joy and laughter, history and poetry, Icelandic lore, and unmatched creativity. And let's not forget his piano. I hope wherever he is, there's a well-loved piano there, and millions of books, and maybe a plate of steaming chocolate chip cookies! We'll miss you, Bill.

It's a shame. My Dad died at age 66. It's too young. It is nice that so many people remember all that was good and kind about Mr. Holm.

Bill Holm blessed us, pure and simple. There are many, many people who were privileged to have been his students, close friends and colleagues. Regrettably, I was not able to be among them. I did, however, have the tremendous delight of meeting him on a few occasions after lectures/readings. His presence loomed large, literally and figuratively, and it was both humbling and uplifting to be with him, albeit too briefly. I’d engaged and enjoyed and contemplated his writings for years, but I would have to say that the greatest joy for me was simply knowing he was a living presence in this vast world of wonder and terror we are born into. His starkly honest (and so often funny) insights into the absurdities and sincerities of life, the deep roots and whimsy of our connectedness to our culture, our homes, our families, our ancestry—it left me just marveling at the man’s sheer wisdom of perceptiveness. It was his book Coming Home Crazy that was amongst a handful that accompanied me on a three-month educational endeavor abroad in India some years ago. In part, his storytelling of his experiences teaching abroad in China helped keep me sane when I missed my wife and family and often felt culturally disoriented and out-of-place. His passing, far too soon, is a loss not only to Minnesota, but to all of us. I hope you somehow know the good you’ve done, how many lives you’ve touched, and just how much you will be missed. It was, and will always be, an honor to know you. Peace be with you, Bill Holm.

Funeral details here...