Verda Marie Hollingsworth, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great–grandmother and great–great grandmother passed away peacefully at Bethany Home of Ripon on Friday, February 21st 2025 at the age of 97.
Verda and her twin sister, Verla, were born in Madison, South Dakota to Lauritz and Esther Ruste on December 8, 1927. They had three older sisters Margarete, Maxine and Jean.
The family moved to Howard, South Dakota where she grew up and graduated from high school. Upon graduation she and her twin decided to join Maxine and Jean in San Francisco. The four sisters had an apartment together and all worked in the city.
She married Harry Hollingsworth on November 14, 1958. They moved to San Mateo, CA where she left the working world to become a homemaker. They had three children.
Verda was a natural born artist and enjoyed using her talent in many ways. She did paintings in oil, watercolor and pastels. Her paintings have been displayed and enjoyed by many family members.
When Harry retired from Pan Am in 1982, they enjoyed fishing trips and vacations in their fifth wheel trailer. Verda and Harry moved to Escalon in 1988 to be nearer family members.
Verda was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Harry D. Hollingsworth, her sisters Margarete Judt, Maxine Lowenstein, Jean Specker and Verla Long, and her daughter Janet Stapleton.
She is survived by her sons, Dale Hollingsworth of Tracy and Bruce Hollingsworth of Placerville.
She has three granddaughters, Lisa Olson, Sharelle Stinson and Sara Hollingsworth, three great granddaughters, Kyleigh Stinson, Hayley La Fazia and Holly Lawson and a great–great granddaughter Alice La Fazia.
Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews located in many locations — including Linda Pierce, Sharon Burke and Barbara Vrieling, of Ripon, who have been so special and of great help whenever it was needed.
A memorial service will take place from 9 to 11a.m. Friday, March 14th, at Deegan–Ripon Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
The Benevolent Fund for People In Need
Immanuel Christian Reformed Church
517 Orange Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
