Harriet Thwing Holden Mother, Civic Leader and Philanthropist Harriet Thwing Holden, a strong supporter and leader of many local, state, national and international civic and educational organizations passed away on October 12, 2005 at the age of 93 at Walker Place in Minneapolis. She was born in LeBeau, South Dakota on December 16, 1911 and raised on the prairie of South Dakota by her parents, George Thwing and Florence May Lincoln Thwing. As a child, she was guided by her mother??(TM)s advice that you ought to pay back to society for the position and blessings that you have while on Earth. Harriet attended business school in Mankato before enrolling in the University of Minnesota where she was awarded a B.A. in English and History in 1933. While there, Mrs. Holden was initiated as a charter member of her beloved sorority, ?Alpha Chi Omega” Alpha Lambda Chapter in 1930 and she met her late husband of sixty-six years, Harold L. Holden. Mrs. Holden lived a life of civic leadership and benevolence. In 1971, she received the University Alumni Service award, only the eighth woman to be so distinguished at that time, as she had been active in alumni activities and was president of the Alumni Association in 1967. She was active at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church and served as local Chapter President, International President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Board of People to People International. She was still an International Trustee at the time of her death.
Harriet served as the founding president for the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. She was also active as a board member or officer of the Minneapolis Red Cross, United Theological Seminary, University of Minnesota Career Clinic for Mature Women, the Women’s Club of Minneapolis, the YWCA, Jones-Harrison Residence, P.E.O., American Association of University Women and the United Nations Rally Board. Harriet was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Society of Mayflower Descendants. Mrs. Holden is survived by her three children; Harold L. Holden, Jr. (wife Peggy), George T. Holden; Judith Holden Wright (husband Charles), seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. They will all miss her very much. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to be sent to The University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts for the Harriet Thwing Holden Scholarship, 225 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis MN 55455 or Walker Place c/o Walker Foundation, 3737 Bryant Avenue S, Minneapolis MN 55409 or Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, Holden Fund, Permanent Property Fund, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis MN 55403 or your church or favorite charity.
Visitation Sunday 3 ??” 5 pm and 1 hour prior on Monday at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. Service Monday 11 am at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis MN 55403. Interment Lakewood Cemetery.