David M. Holmberg

David M. Holmberg, 51, Topeka, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2014 at home with his family by his side, after a year long battle with cancer.

His greatest desire was for his situation to not be in vain. His hope to the end was that those he called friends would learn to fully appreciate life, family and friends and to live each moment to the fullest. His mantra was LIVE like there's no tomorrow, LAUGH every chance you get and LOVE with all your heart!!

He was born October 1, 1962 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Daniel N. and Melvina (Miller) Holmberg. He graduated from Santa Fe Trail High School in Overbrook in 1980 and the University of Kansas in 1984 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting.

He was employed as a Senior Financial Analyst with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas for 15 years.

He was a member of Golden Rule Lodge #90 A F & A M, Arab Shriners Clown Unit, and attended Fairlawn Heights Wesleyan Church (Grace Point). He was a quiet man who lived by example. He loved following his daughters in all of their endeavors both academically and athletically. He coached youth softball, worked with youth through Upward Basketball, was a fantasy sports enthusiast, and loved "Clowning" with the Clown Unit through the Arab Shrine, especially at the annual Arab Shrine Circus. He loved his date nights with his wife, friends and family, which often led him to various pubs and restaurants, but his favorite was Old Chicago and participating in their seasonal beer tours. If someone could see circumstances as glass half full it was David. He saw his cancer diagnosis as a wakeup call to stop and enjoy life which led him to creating a bucket list. With the help of so many, he was able to complete several items on his list including a beautiful trip to Hawaii with his family the week before he passed. He was a faithful husband, father and friend and will be greatly missed.

David met his wife of 30 years, Kathy M. Pinter, in college and they were married on May 28, 1983. She survives. Other survivors include his daughters and their husbands, whom he loved dearly, Amanda & Zack Cordes, Wichita, and Maggie & Alex Crawford, Topeka, He was grateful and honored that he was able to walk both his girls down the aisle before his passing. Also surviving are his mother, Melvina Holmberg, Topeka; sister, Julie (Wayne) Wilson, Kansas City, MO; and brother, Daniel N. Holmberg, II, Leawood. He was preceded in death by his father.

Celebration of life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2014 at Grace Point Church, 5400 SW Huntoon. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2014 at the church.

Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 1315 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, Kansas 66604 or the Shriners Children's Hospitals Travel Fund, c/o Arab Shriners, 1305 S. Kansas, Topeka, Kansas 66612. Cremation and inurnment at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery is planned at a future date.

* The following is an excerpt from a song that came to mean a lot to us and our friends following the news that his cancer had spread and was no longer treatable. He enjoyed sitting down with friends and sharing good times and a beer so in honor of David, we are sharing this and request that at some point you sit down, start a bucket list and in honor of David… "Drink a Beer"

"…Funny how the good ones go
Too soon, but the good Lord knows
The reasons why, I guess

Sometimes the greater plan
Is kinda hard to understand
Right now it don't make sense
I can't make it all make sense

So I'm gonna sit right here
On the edge of this pier
Watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer

So long my friend
Until we meet again
I'll remember you
And all the times that we used to...
... sit right here on the edge of this pier
And watch the sunset disappear
And drink a beer"

Drink a Beer by Luke Bryan


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