Hollie Briggs
January 10, 2016

"I was saddened to read about Hollie's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to Hollie's family and friends."

"Our family will always remember Hollie and the cheerful and loving way she both taught and interacted with students and their families at La Crescent Elementary School.. We feel so blessed to have known her. What a remarkable individual! We extend our love to her friends and family. She will be missed greatly! Da'nell Cannon, parent of students Katie, Gina and Nate Cannon"

" Hollie and I first met when we were both five years old and she chased me around the Stone Church Cemetery at a Ladies Aid luncheon that was open to the public. Even after all these years I can still picture her clearly with that same big, beaming smile that was one of her most endearing attributes. Between that and her larger than life charisma, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to be her friend. It fills my heart to think back on the fun we had all the way through school and later at Winona State. When I was with her on campus it seemed like there wasn't anyone she didn't know or at least greeted with that smile. Regarding her chosen profession, I can't think of anyone more tailor made for their job. Its hard to imagine the impact she had on all of the students that she taught and befriended and helped with their special needs. What an incredible legacy she has left, of a life well lived and dedicated to others. Ever since that first early encounter at the church I have been thankful to have Hollie in my life. Jim Skree HHS--Class of '71 "

"I will always remember the good times at the Presbyterian Church in Houston. The Christmas programs with each kid carrying a lighted candle, the laughs after church over coffee. She had the best smiles and hugs for all. Cheryl remembers the bake sales, circle meetings & suppers she worked with Hollie, it was always fun & a lot of laughs. You will be missed by all who knew you! Ken & Cheryl"

"Hollie was definitely a ray of sunshine in LaCrescent. She always had a huge smile and a helping hand. I knew her for many years. Blessings to all- she will be missed."

"So many memories of Hollie growing up--especially the Houston-Rushford Presbyterian Youth gatherings. Hollie was always a lot of the life of the group. Special blessings and prayers for you, Mary Kay and family. You were always a part of it all too."

"i am so sorry."

" I am stunned and saddened by the loss of Hollie. She was a student when I was librarian at Houston. Her love of life, books, and all people made her a joy to be with. She also cared for my cat when I was on vacation... already,as a young girl, she was a responsible and mature person, We will all miss her in so many ways. Love to her family and friends, Nancy"

"Hollie was a amazing person. She had a gift of treating all kids special like they were her own. Our favorite memory will always be the last day of school each year. As other classes raced out the front door for summer vacation - Hollie would come down the hall with her class clinging to her leg because the kids couldn't stand to think of not seeing Ms. Briggs for the next few months. We'll miss you!"

"There is a 2nd grader missing you dearly as well as a 7th grader... A 4 year old and a 6 month old both waiting to meet you.You gave the best hugs and the best advice.....We got this right??? We will be missing you so much. May your spirit live on at school! We love and miss you dearly. Xoxo Until we meet again!"

"Always a smile. Always a hug. Always remembered."

" Holly was a friend to all, and she put the kids first in everything. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude about life. It's going to be hard to fill her shoes. I know you are up in heaven looking down on us and saying, "everything will be all right. Smile everyday, be positive, and great big hugs from heaven. I will always be in your heart." And with that I will miss you Holly, we all will miss you. Great big hugs back at you!!"

" We will always remember fondly the many years of going to Applefest and enjoying the parade on Hollie's front lawn when she was still living in her house, followed by some of the most wonderful food and gathering of friends that you could possibly find. Hollie was such a great host and fun-loving person. It was an annual event that we always looked forward to. She touched many hearts and will never be forgotten."

" Hollie what can I say words to say are hard....I can say this for sure she will live on in my memory forever.... She was a great teacher and a great friend to talk to sometimes..... I know the last time I seen her she told me she was going to hang it up and head off to FL to retire..... Now though she pick a better place where the sun will alway be shining it will never rain...... Big hugs to you sweetie and have a extra one for me.... A teacher who should be in the hall of fame...."

" Our sympathy to Hollie's family, she was a wonderful person, RIP Hollie Briggs!"

"My thoughts and prayers goes to the family of hollie Briggs. She Was my teacher in grade school many years ago.she was a very special women to me every time we would run into each other she always had a big hug for me.I will have her memory for ever. Rip hollie I will miss you and love you "

" Our Dear Holly, Our family will miss you and think of you with happy memories very often. You were beautiful, loving, and kind teacher to our three sons Joshua, Jacob, and Johannes. We will never forget you. Our deepest sympathy to all your loving family and friends. Love the Kor family"

" In growing up in Houston (across the street from Hollie), we shared a lot of great times (and hugs) throughout our growing up years. She will truly be missed not only by me, but by our family(ies). She taught our son when he was in 2nd grade and always asked about us and how everyone was doing. I was very fortunate to get a hug a couple of weeks ago when I ran into her at Festival. Hollie was truly was a special person and will be missed. Our sympathies to her family. Becky and Timmer"

" As another guestbook entry has said... where to start?! Hollie was an amazing individual in so many ways. She attracted everyone to her (young and old alike) with her passion, her commitment, her zest for life, her skills and abilities, and of course her hugs. People who encountered Hollie felt honored and lifted, and I am certain that was her intent. She will be dearly missed by her many friends, and profoundly missed by the La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School. While we will now all experience a void, we can be grateful that our lives were touched by this wonderful woman."

"My deepest sympathy to Hollie's family. RIP Hollie. You will be missed."

" Hollie can be described in so many ways...she touched the lives of everyone who ever was privileged to have spent time with her. Hollie had a light within her that shone brightly to all. I am grateful to have known Hollie. My sincere condolences to her family and her friends. Sandra Luecke Starke"

"Hollie was an amazing person who will be truly missed. She was an inspiration to everyone who knew her and we feel honored to have called her a friend. Her vivacious smile and presence lite up any room. We will miss her terribly. Love to all her family and friends!"

" Have fond memories of Hollie from high school, she graduated with my brother Larry and they shared a birthday. Sympathy to her family and all the special people of LaCrescent Elementary School. She was a great lady."

"My deepest sympathy to your family. Nancy had a good relationship with Hollie. She was always so uplifting."

" We always looked forward to spending time with Hollie. She was truly a special person, and she will be missed by all."

"Hollie was always the "life of the party" and she was always happy and loving to all. She truly knew how to live life to it's fullest. Rest in Peace Hollie and may the angels watch over you as you watched over all those you came in contact with!!!!!"

" I sincerely hope my children have the good fortune to have an educator like Hollie Briggs in their lives. As a former student, I feel extremely blessed to have been in her classroom. She had a profound positive impact on my life and that of my family, and I can guarantee I'm not the only person to feel that way. One of my memories is a time in second grade where I was leaving her classroom at the end of the day, and I said a casual, "Bye, I love you!" -- as if I were talking to my mom or dad, and I remember feeling very embarrassed, like "you're not supposed to say that to your teacher!". I told my parents during the customary "how was your day at school" breakdown, who assured me that I was probably not the first, nor the last student to tell Ms. Briggs that she was loved. Her smile, hugs, and loving spirit will live on through all the lives she enhanced."

" Hollie was one of the nicest, most cheerful and loving people this world will ever see. She will truly be missed by so many."

" Where to start. To truly express the awesomeness of this lady would be never ending. She was my coworker and my daughter's teacher for 1st and 2nd grade. My daughter was very shy and Hollie promised to bring Kayla out of her shell. She did just that and then some! Kayla has e mailed Hollie at least once a week for the past three years and Hollie had responded every time telling her at the end of each e mail that she loved her. The last e mail being the Thursday while still in the hospital. Now that is commitment and a huge amount of love! We will always hold a place in our hearts for this special woman. One of a kind who can never be replaced. Best hugger too! Will miss everything about her. Stephanie Pierce and Family"

" I remember looking up to Hollie when I was a kid growing up in Houston. My sympathies to Hollie's family and friends."

" Miss Briggs was my 2nd grade teacher at La Crescent Elementary School--she ranks right up there with a few of the phenomenal teachers we were lucky to have in our school district. Out of all my Elementary school teachers she by far was one of the most compassionate. Not only was she an incredibly talented teacher but she truly cared about her students. It showed every day from the moment you arrived to her classroom up even until seeing her years later in the hallway. I will always remember her as being passionate about her job and truly enjoying what she did. Thank you for making a difference in my life as well as so many students from our Elementary school! Leah Breidel LCHS 2003"

"Hollie touched thousands of hearts either personally or through the students she inspired. Her loving, caring and positive attitude will be with us always."

" Hollie touched so many lives; she was an angel here on earth! She was an avid hugger and true advocate of children! We were blessed to have known her. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends and students."

"Our Prayes go out to Briggs famley."

" My sympathy to Hollie's friends, family, and students. I did not see her often, but when I did, the joy and love she had for teaching and her students was evident. She has truly touched the lives of so many--her spirit lives on."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Holly was such a loving, caring, giving soul. The MANY WONDERFUL memories we will cherish in our hearts forever. And the Hugs!! Best hugger around, a hug from Holly could cure anything. With Love; Mark & Kathryn Witt Family"

" My family lived next door to the Briggs family for all of my memories. We loved them as neighbors. Hollie's enthusiasm, energy, love and dedication to her students was contagious. She always had a hug, a smile and a bit of laughter as she greeted you. We felt totally blessed to have known her and her family. You will be sorely missed Hollie Briggs."

"Hollie was a great lady. So full of life. The Briggs family were wonderful people to grow up with in a small town. I will cherish my memories of her at our church."

" I only knew Hollie for a short time, but what a wonderful person she was. So accepting of everyone. She knew how to make you feel like you knew her for a long time. She will be missed. My deepest sympathy to the family at this time. May God comfort you."

" Of all the wonderful traits that could be said about Hollie Briggs has to be the unconditional love generations of students felt for her. You were blessed to be in her classroom."

"A true friend of education and an inspiration to all that knew her. Don and Judy Thesing"