Arlene Grace (Holmquist) Messer, age 97, of Lecanto, died on December 13, 2025. Born in 1928 in Bowman, North Dakota, she was the youngest of eight children born to Frank and Emma (Uhrhammer) Holmquist. Arlene grew up on the family farm and attended Medicine Hills rural grade school. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Her mother passed away when she was 8 years old and her father passed away just 4 years after losing her mother. She was Valedictorian of her Bowman High School graduating class in 1946.
On March 30, 1951, she married Henry Messer in Arlington, Virginia. They eventually settled in Inverness, Florida, where they had their own mini farm with cows and chickens, and orchards and gardens full of citrus and vegetables, which they generously shared with others. She and Henry also made their own award winning wine from the grapes they grew. For a short time she even played guitar in a country band.
Arlene worked as a legal secretary at the Fitzpatrick Law Office in Inverness for almost 40 years and she and Henry were considered to be part of the Fitzpatrick family. She eventually retired to her John Deere and enjoyed mowing and taking care of their property. She enjoyed card games and played a challenging game of Scrabble. She was an avid bowler. Henry always joked that he hoped nothing happened to him on bowling day because Arlene would still head for the bowling alley! Arlene and Henry lived a full life being active members of their church, going on cruises, family reunions, and welcoming friends and neighbors into their home. She was an excellent cook and baker, and loved housekeeping. Arlene was a very kind, generous, loving person.
She has now joined her husband, Henry, who preceded her in death in 2021, along with her parents, brothers, and sisters, for a glorious reunion in Heaven.
Aunt Arlene is survived by her many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews who share in their love and fond memories of her.
Her family will have a private memorial service and she will be interred in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
Memorials can be sent to Vitas HealthCare, 3280 West Audubon Park Path, Lecanto, FL 34461.
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