Minerva ‘Mike’ Hollis

Minerva “Mike” May (West) Hollis, age 94, of Sullivan, MO, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO, surrounded by her loving family.  

Mike was born in Stanton, MO, on February 15, 1927. She attended Robertsville Elementary School before her family relocated to Sullivan, where she attended school through eighth grade. She continued her education at Bourbon High School through the first semester of eleventh grade, at which time she left school to go to work and help support her mother and younger siblings. She was united in marriage on July 3, 1947 in St. Louis, MO to Courtleigh (Dean) Hollis and to this union two children were born, Sharon and Vicki. 

Mike worked in the offices of International Shoe Co in Sullivan for twenty years until their closure in 1963, whereas she went to work for Midwest Footwear. She held various office jobs throughout the years until her retirement from Onondaga Cave State Park in 1993.  

Mike was an avid reader and kept a cataloged, personal library in her home. She had a constant quest for knowledge and enjoyed sharing what she learned with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed working with computers and took a keen interest in researching and recording the genealogy of her family members. She was a collector of many things and used her artistic talents to repurpose and upcycle items for reuse or to create unique gifts for her family and friends. A favorite were her money trees she made for her grandkids on their birthdays. She had a fearless spirit and would never pass up the opportunity to go flying in airplanes or helicopters and even went ziplining at the age of 85.   

Mike’s true devotion was to her family. It was not uncommon on a summer day for her home and yard to be full of her grandkids, nieces, nephews, and other neighborhood children. She was very artistic and loved sharing her talents with her family. From stained glass, flower arranging, beaded ornaments and more, there was always a variety of crafting projects on hand, and she patiently oversaw each project until it was completed. She always put her family first and on a moment’s notice would rush to the side of anyone who needed her.  

Mike is survived by her husband of 73 years, Dean Hollis, of Sullivan, MO; two daughters, Sharon Dixon of Sullivan, MO, and Vicki Isom and husband, J.R., of Bourbon MO; four grandchildren: Brian Isom of Sullivan, MO, Jason Dixon and wife, Renee, of Marathon, FL, Staci (Isom) Budde and husband, Ryan, of St. Charles, MO, and Natalie (Dixon) Counts and husband, Kyle, of Sullivan, MO; six great-grandchildren: Troy Creek and Emi Isom of Sullivan, MO, Donovan and Spencer Counts of Sullivan, MO, Adison and Averi Budde of St. Charles, MO, and a yet to be born baby girl Dixon of Marathon, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.   

She was preceded in death by her mother, Dora West; her siblings: Carl West, Jim West, Fuzzy West, Frank West, Ethelyn Friedman and Edith “Pete” Cobb; her mother-in-law, Christina “Tena” Hollis; and her son-in-law, Donald “Gene” Dixon.  

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 25, 2021 at the Blue Spring Ranch Event Center in Bourbon, MO. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mike’s memory can be made to the Averi Budde Heart Foundation. 

All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.