Obituary for Holiday "Holly" Kuhse

Holiday “Holly” Strempke Kuhse, 70, of Elkader, Iowa passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family. 

A Celebration of Life in honor of Holly will be at a later date. 

Holly was born on September 14, 1956, the daughter of Darwin and MaryAnn (Ommen) Strempke. She was especially grateful for the encouragement and support of Marge Brehme, who encouraged Holly to complete high school and supported her as she continued her education at Kirkwood Community College. Holly went on to become a physical therapist assistant, a career she enjoyed for many years and one that gave her the opportunity to travel for work.

In her free time, Holly enjoyed fishing, sewing, reading, and spending time outdoors. She especially treasured time spent with her friends, often gathered around the table playing cards. Through all of life’s adventures, Holly was rarely far from her best friend, Curtis, whom she was proud to also call her husband. The two had been married since 1997 and shared a life filled with companionship, friendship, and love.

Holly was preceded in death by her parents.

Left to cherish Holly’s memory are her husband, Curtis; her children, Jason (Jessie) Brehme of Wadena, Iowa, Cody (Ashley) Brehme of Manchester, Iowa, Mike (Erin) Kuhse of New York, Jeff (Tonya) Kuhse of Elgin, Iowa, and Shawn Kuhse of Clermont, Iowa; her grandchildren, Quinton (Keoa) Brehme, John Brehme, Luke Brehme, Jenna (Kaiden) Loyd, Tristen Kuhse, Tucker Kuhse, Shawn Kuhse Jr., Melina Kuhse, Braxton Kuhse, Finn Kuhse, Claudia Kuhse, Parker Funke, Lane Leibold, Cora Beeh and Kenleigh and Macklee Brehme; great-grandchildren, Teddy Loyd and Kaikea Brehme; and her siblings, Steve Strempke, Darrel Strempke, and Robert (Missy) Strempke. Holly is also survived by many other family members who will miss her dearly.