Barbara Lynne Holles

Barbara "Barb" Lynne Holles, age 83 of San Diego, California and formerly of Remsen, Iowa. Passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Graveside service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Remsen, IA with Rev. Timothy Pick officiating. Friends are welcome.

Barb was born April 20, 1942 in Sioux City, Iowa, and raised in Remsen, Iowa, Barb later moved to Fridley, Minnesota, after marrying Gerald F. Holles of Granville, Iowa. Though they divorced in the mid-1970s, they remained close friends and continued to be part of each other’s lives.

In the 1970s, Barb launched Holles Typing Services, working from home. She later became the office manager at Park Place Clinic in Minneapolis before relocating to San Diego in 1982. There, she continued her career as a medical office business manager, eventually working for Dr. Tom Kennedy in Coronado until his retirement. Alongside her full-time work, she maintained a successful bookkeeping business. Her first client, Dr. Bryan Bruns remained with her for 37 years until his own retirement. Barb herself retired at the age of 80. Dr. Bruns remains a lifelong friend and honorary member of the family.

Barb had a deep love for classical music, live theater, and, most of all, Neil Diamond, whom she saw in concert at least a dozen times. A skilled bridge player, she enjoyed competing in Las Vegas tournaments, where she once played alongside Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Omar Sharif. She was also an avid gambler, making monthly trips to Vegas for many years.

Her greatest passion, however, was reading, especially true crime and mystery novels. Despite regularly giving away books after reading them, she had a personal collection of nearly 4,000 books at the time of her passing. In her final years, she lived at Paradise Village in National City, California, where she was affectionately known as “The Book Lady.”

Barb was a lifelong advocate for reproductive rights and was actively involved with Planned Parenthood starting in the 1970s. She volunteered with the organization in both Minneapolis and San Diego.

She was preceded in death by her father, Henry “Heinie” Brandes; her mother, Eva Lorraine “Sis” Schmidt; and her sister, Paula Lynn Brandes. She is survived by her son, Paul Gerald Holles (Maria), and daughter, Amy Lyn Holles, both of San Diego, California; her best friend and honorary “uncle” to Paul and Amy, Bruce Larson (Dennis) of Michigan; and many cherished friends across the country.

A Celebration of Life was held aboard a yacht with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Planned Parenthood or the San Diego Food Bank.