Oudean Ruth (Traughber) Holmes

Oudean Ruth Holmes, 87, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home the evening of October 7th, 2019. She was lovingly surrounded by family and friends in the days, hours, and minutes prior to the moment she lost her battle with cancer.

Oudean was born July 18th, 1932 to Charles and Helen (Woodworth) Traughber in Pocatello, Idaho. She was the youngest of four siblings and graduated from Pocatello High School in 1950. Fate came to pass a few years later when her older brother, John, asked one of his Air Force buddies to be his best man at his wedding. That best man turned out to be the love of her life, Forrest Milton Holmes. The two dated for a year and wed on March 21st, 1954. They spent their first year of marriage in Merced, California where they welcomed their oldest daughter, Nan Marie. They then moved back to Pocatello where they welcomed daughters Terri Jane in 1957 and Pamela Sue in 1964. She enjoyed being home with her girls as often as possible while helping provide for her family in various ventures with a strong and inspiring work ethic. The couple moved to Mammoth Lakes, California briefly before settling in the Treasure Valley in 1987.

From that point on, Oudean was dedicated to her family in all aspects of her life. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with such purity and tenderness that it will be forever remembered and replicated throughout the generations to come.

Walking into her home you would immediately know what she loved in life because it was on the hung on the walls, giving you a hug, or was barking at you. Her love could be seen in all the little things she did, such as always keeping a very large selection of snacks for the great grandchildren and keeping Milt out of them.  Uncrustables, fruit snacks, and Nutella were always on hand. She took the kids for walks and made sure to check in on how they were doing in school, dance, football, and heaven forbid if one of them didn’t return a call. She would not end a day without cutting bananas for each of the children, including the furry ones.  Turns out, no matter who you talk to, she was always there for them, whether it be comforting them after a nightmare, giving advice (if you wanted it or not,) or providing a home for those who fell on hard times. 

 Oudean was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Helen Traughber, her siblings, Josephine, John and Charlotte, and her youngest daughter, Pamela. She is survived by her husband, Milt, daughters Nan and Terri, 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

She will forever be in our thoughts, be seen in our actions, and live on in our prayers and memories. We know that today she is watching over us, hand-in-hand with Pamela, and patiently waiting to welcome us home.

Services will be held at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel on Monday, October 14th, 2019 at 11:00 AM. A procession to the Middleton Cemetery will immediately follow for a graveside service. The family asks that if you have the means, to consider donating to a charity of your choice to assist patients with cancer, or to further research in battling the disease.

Flowers can be sent to the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.

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