Bernard (Bill) Paul Holland

Bernard “Bill” Paul Holland, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, lived a life rooted in family, hard work, faith, laughter, and adventure.

Bill was born on August 2, 1941, in Princeton, Minnesota, to Henry and Melba (Faden) Holland. The fifteenth of eighteen children, he grew up on the family homestead, where the Hollands lived off the land and learned early the value of hard work, resourcefulness, and looking out for one another. He attended Wyanett District #42, a one-room country school, until the country schools consolidated with Princeton. Bill attended school through tenth grade before dedicating himself to working on and supporting the family farm. Later in life, he proudly earned his GED.

On August 14, 1971, Bill married the love of his life, Linda Mae Lindberg, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, where they were the first couple married in the newly built church. Bill remained an active member of St. John’s throughout his life. Together, Bill and Linda made their home in Weber, Minnesota, where they raised their family and built a lifetime of memories.

Bill spent much of his career as a truck driver, working for several companies before spending 18½ years with Barton Construction driving an oil tanker. He retired in 2003. Throughout his working years, Bill was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and the friendships he made along the way.

Bill and Linda loved to travel and camp with their children. Retirement gave them even more freedom to explore, and the two became snowbirds, spending winters in Arizona surrounded by family and friends. They were often off on another adventure, and their travels frequently became the source of the year’s Christmas letter and its famously wild stories.

Bill had a gift for connecting with people. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and seemed to run into someone he knew wherever he went. He loved live country music and dancing, fishing with family and friends, and watching races; especially sprint cars on the dirt track. He loved to joke, have fun, and play games. Anyone who spent time around a campfire with Bill likely learned the “broom dance” before the night was over. He also loved a good card game, especially Pegs and Jokers, where he was very invested in the rules.

Above all else, Bill loved his family. He took great pride in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and extended family. His warmth, humor, stories, and love for those around him will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Holland; his grandson, Blaine Zak; his parents, Henry and Melba Holland; and 13 brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his children, Darci (Donovan) Johnson, Jodi (Ryan) Zak, Jeff (Tally) Holland, and Julie Towle; eight grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings, extended family, and many friends who were fortunate to know him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 11, at 2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 28168 Jodrell St. NE, North Branch, Minnesota 55056

Bill’s life was a full one filled with family, faith, laughter, music, travel, and countless memories made along the way. He will be dearly missed and forever loved.

memorial service

Service

December 11, 2026

St John's Lutheran Church 28168 Jodrell St NE, North Branch, MN 55056, USA

Visitation will be held an hour before service at 2:00 pm.