Obituary: Kelli Diane Holland, The Dalles
Kelli Diane Holland
Kelli Diane Holland was born on October 3, 1958, in The Dalles, Oregon, to Bill and Freda Wilson.
She attended school in The Dalles and graduated from The Dalles High School in 1976. She then attended business school and worked in Portland, Oregon, before returning back home to The Dalles.
Kelli was a dedicated employee with 41 years of experience in billing and coding for one medical facility. She had primarily been employed at Mid-Columbia Medical Center and then went on to work for Oregon Health Sciences University.
Her experience with billing and coding extended to include Anesthesia, the ER, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, as well as other rural ambulances. She loved her work family and was so dedicated that she continued to work until only four days prior to her passing.
Kelli was an accomplished piano and flute player who used her musical talents to worship Jesus. She played the piano at Chenoweth Calvary Baptist Church for many years and then played the flute at Covenant Christian Church and Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene. Another artistic avenue she enjoyed was painting. Her art was loved by many and came on many different “canvases” such as saw blades, milk cans, ornaments, wood rounds and even rocks.
On November 11, 1983, she met Jeff Holland on a blind date. After a short courtship and engagement, they were married on May 12, 1984, for exactly 37 years and 11 months. Over the next eight years, they had three daughters, Katrina, Janna and Karla. Kelli was a devoted wife, proud mother, and an amazing Grandma or “Kaki” (as the grandkids liked to call her). She enjoyed cooking and especially loved to bake cookies, cakes, and cupcakes which were always appreciated greatly by her family and friends.
In November of 2018, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. Throughout the process, she was a warrior. Always strong, courageous and positive with each change in medication and treatment. After fighting hard for 3 ½ years, her battle ended and she went home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ. She passed peacefully surrounded by her close family.
She is survived by her mom Freda Knight, husband Jeff Holland, daughters Katrina Spalding (husband Jesse and 4 children), Janna Hughitt (husband Brian and 3 children) and Karla Helms (husband Jesse), sister Karen Wilson Davey (and her 4 children), and 16 cousins.
The love and kindness she gave to those she knew has had an everlasting impact on their hearts. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
A Memorial service will be held at The Dalles Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene on May 14th, 2022 at 1:00 pm. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
