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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Ardo C. Holmgrain of Rock Island, who
4passed away on June 7, 2024; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain was born to Elmer and Clara Bleuer
6Holmgrain in Moline on February 4, 1928; while a high school
7student, he worked for the Iowa-Illinois Gas and Electric
8Company during World War II; he graduated from Rock Island
9Senior High School in 1946; he enlisted in the U.S. Army,
10serving at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and Ft. McPherson,
11Georgia; he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and was
12honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in 1948; he majored
13in mathematics and physics, graduating from Augustana College
14in 1952; he married Carolyn J. Whitcomb at St. John's Lutheran
15Church in Rock Island on October 26, 1956; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain began his 32-year career with the
17U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1953, serving as chief of
18estimating and specifications; during his tenure, he received
19two Sustained Superior Performance Awards, a Special Act Award
20for Value Engineering, and numerous other recognitions; he was
21also an active member of the Society of American Military
22Engineers for more than 55 years, serving as secretary for
23three years; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain was a member of the Rock Island
2Rotary Club, where he served as president, had over 50 years of
3perfect attendance, and was a Paul Harris Fellow; he was
4instrumental in the creation of the club's highest honor, the
5A.T. Peara Award, a lifetime achievement award presented to a
6member that best represents the ideals of Rotary
7International; he and his wife served as a host family for
8visiting Rotary Youth Exchange students, and they were also
9key figures in the founding of the Rock Island Summerfest; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain was a member of Immanuel Lutheran
11Church in Rock Island and a past member of St. John's Lutheran
12Church in Rock Island; he served as president of several
13organizations, including the Rock Island Engineering and
14Scientific Corp, the Rock Island American Scandinavian
15Society, and the Youth Guidance Council of Rock Island,
16creating the professional Youth Services Bureau, and he served
17on the Rock Island County Historical Society Board; he was
18also a member of the Mercer County Historical Society, the
19Natural Area Guardians, the Figge Art Museum, the Putnam
20Museum, the Quad City Botanical Center, the Rock Island
21Preservation Society, and the Quad City Symphony; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain and his wife enjoyed traveling,
23including visiting all 50 states, 27 national parks, nine

 

 

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1Canadian provinces, and 35 foreign countries on five
2continents; as they aged, they continued visiting family and
3wintering in Florida; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain was preceded in death by his
5parents and his brothers, Bruce E. Holmgrain and Dale F.
6Holmgrain; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Ardo Holmgrain is survived by his wife of 67
8years, Carolyn; his son, Kent Holmgrain; his daughter, Ardith
9(Juliusz Sas) Holmgrain; and his grandchildren, Alexander Sas
10and Sabina Sas; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Ardo C. Holmgrain and extend our sincere condolences to his
14family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Ardo Holmgrain as an expression of
18our deepest sympathy.