Yolanda Holt

Yolanda Polanco Ambriz Estrada Holt, 90, of Santa Ana, California, formerly of Battle Creek, Michigan, passed away peaceably from natural causes at her home surrounded by family on May 20, 2020.

Yolanda was born September 9, 1929 in Los Angeles, California the daughter of Yndelico and Henrietta (Polanco) Estrada. Yolanda, along with her siblings (4 sisters/1 brother) were raised during the Great Depression.  At a young age, Yolanda earned money as a live-in maid starting in grade school to help ease the family’s financial situation.  Yolanda was a graduate of St. Bernadine’s High School in San Bernardino, California.

On April 14, 1950, Yolanda married Robert John Holt.  They had seven children and moved to Battle Creek in 1966.  Yolanda was an active parishioner at St. Joseph Catholic Church and very involved in charity work.  In 1974, Yolanda and her family was recognized as The Family of the Year by the Battle Creek Urban League.  In 1975 and for several years thereafter, Yolanda was the owner and operator of the La Palomita Boutique (translated “The Little Dove”), which was one of the only Catholic bookstores in Battle Creek.  Yolanda loved sharing her faith to all.  Yolanda later worked for many years as a cashier at Walgreens where she continued to witness her faith.

Yolanda retired and moved to Southern California in 2014 to be near family and resided at the St. Francis Home, an assisted living facility under the Care of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception.  Yolanda loved her twilight years sharing her faith with her Sisters in Christ.

Yolanda is survived by five children: Robert F. Holt (Sherry) of Alta Loma, CA, Yolanda Brenda Mayes (Ken) of Austin, TX, Jack W. Holt (Amber) of Redlands, CA, David C. Holt (Kristie) of Santa Ana, CA and Timothy E. Holt (Dolores) of Yucaipa, CA; nine grandchildren: Katy Christiansen Holt, Robert Holt, Patrick Mayes, Brandon Mayes, Shawna Holt Squire, Autumn Holt, Landon Holt, Natalie Holt, Erica Holt, Colin Holt, Suzanne Holt, Diego Holt and Rachel Holt; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert, two sons: Patrick and Michael Holt ; one brother Lencho Estrada who was killed in WWII and four sisters: Henrietta Estrada, Angie Peraza, Helen Onstott and Marina Faherty.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services, where a recitation of The Rosary will take place at 6:00 p.m.  Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Fr. Joseph Xavier celebrant.  Interment will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Francis Home, Padre Pio Foundation or St. Vincent DePaul Society. Condolences may be left for the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org