Archie Dale Hollenbeck

Archie Dale Hollenbeck was the 7th child of 12 children born to Ernest and Jennie Lovejoy Hollenbeck, and the second oldest son.  He was born in Winter, Wisconsin on March 19, 1938.  His father was a really good timber faller and his mother was a homemaker who made amazing cinnamon rolls.  Archie was a good student and loved sports. He played football and baseball and kept score for the home basketball games. As a lineman he weighed 146 lbs and played both offense and defense. He often came home bruised and sore but that never stopped him from giving it his all.  His Dad would take the younger siblings with him to watch Archie play his football games. As a Senior he won All Conference recognition for his great job on the field. He also enjoyed wood shop class and excelled making furniture for his Mom and later on for his sisters and Ellen, his future wife. He got the job of naming his younger sister Wanda as she was born on his 10th birthday. He also played catcher for his baseball team and when he wasn't playing a sport he helped the coaches by collecting tickets at the games or keeping the scoreboard.

Archie entered the Armed services in November of 1956. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Marksman badge for Rifle and Artillery. He was honorably discharged from the Army as a Sergeant in April of 1961. During his service he worked for Nike Hercules Missile Program as a radar technician. There was discussion over how much he weighed when he joined the army. According to Archie, he weighed a whopping 156 pounds, but his brother said that he weighed what he did in high school when he joined the army. Either way at 6'2" he was a tall skinny young man. Archie also worked in the service near the L.A. Airport and after leaving the service started work in San Diego as a metal plater for his uncle. He was then moved to Chicago to be a plant manager for P & H Metal Plating. His new bride Ellen moved with him to Chicago and later back to San Diego when the business was moved back there.  Eventually he returned to Gresham, Oregon to be near family.  

He married Ellen Cermak on June 9th, 1961, and they were married for 47 years and loved to travel. They had no children so doted on many of their nieces and nephews. Each year Ellen and Archie created a Christmas Village in their home that they shared with neighbors, friends and family.  Archie was also an avid gardener and his yard was full of beautiful flowers and glorious garden beds - especially Dahlias! Some of the ones he grew were 12" across - amazing. All of the homes he owned he improved with his gardening skills and with beautiful flower beds.

When Ellen passed suddenly in 2008 it was a terrible loss - her twin brother died 2 days later. But Archie kept close to family - caring for his sister Lucille in his home and was active in his church. Archie always kept his sense of humor and his beautiful smile - even when his body started to fail him. He had many surgeries and developed bone spurs on his spine that started to affect his ability to walk. He moved to Idaho in 2016 to be in a dryer climate and improve his health.  Unfortunately that was not to be. He was diagnosed with ALS and eventually it affected many of the things that he was able to do. 

Archie will be remembered for his giving spirit - a large donation to the Boise Rescue Mission for the veterans there - always helping his family when they needed it - loving to drink Pepsi and giving chocolate to everyone he saw or knew. He was great at puzzles, loved crazy- funny cards from family, dancing figurines that moved in sunlight and would beat you at Pinochle - if given the chance. He was always kind to all he met - loved to laugh - and truly loved all of his family and extended family like they were his own kids. All will miss his wonderful smile - his keen sense of humor - his giving spirit - and his kindness to all he encountered. Archie Hollenbeck - you will be missed and we are sure that you and Ellen have had a great reunion in heaven!

Archie is survived by his sister Dellena Hollenbeck Zimmerman, Everett Hollenbeck (Sharon), Wanda Hollenbeck, Patsy Hollenbeck and numerous nieces and nephews. Services in Caldwell will be Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 3pm at Dakan Funeral Chapel. Services for Archie and interment will be in Gresham, Oregon on Monday, August 8, 2pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery.     

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