Holli Ringgenberg

Holli Ringgenberg died peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Restoracy of Carmel, Indiana with her daughters by her side. Holli, born Shirley Ann Holland, to Gustave and Mildred Holland on January 1, 1931, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, was 95.

She was educated at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she was an active member of Delta, Delta, Delta sorority. Between graduation from Stephens, and entering IU, Holli worked at a reporter for the Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette.

Following graduation, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Economics, she married John W. Ringgenberg, then an officer in US Air Force. They made their first home on the island of Guam, where their son, John H. Ringgenberg, was born.

Completing their tour of duty, the Ringgenbergs returned to Bloomington, where their two daughters, Marianne and Heidi, were born. Together, Bill and Holli opened and operated four restaurants until 1964 (when Holli found herself alone with three children). She took the children to Hilo, Hawaii, where she taught in the Hotel/Restaurant department at Hawaii Technical College, a division of the University of Hawaii.

In 1975, she returned to the Mainland permanently to begin a successful career in corporate America. In 1985, she resigned her position (as a regional director for PepsiCo) to accept the appointment as Director of Franchise Development for Oil Can Henry’s, based in Portland, Oregon. She left that organization in 1987 to start Magic Maid in Portland. At that time, she was cleaning close to 300 homes, employing 22 maids, 4 support staff, and operating a fleet of 13 vehicles. After 7 years, Holli decided to sell the business and retire.

Holli knew that when she retired she would return to the Midwest, where family and friends (from as far back as grade school) resided. Her original supposition was that Columbus, Ohio would be the right location. In 1995, Holli drove from Portland to Colombus to investigate the city, acquiring an Ohio driver’s license in the process. On her return trip to Oregon, she drove through Traverse City, Michigan to visit a high school friend summering there. She drove through Traverse City again on her way to her brother’s vacation home on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With her mind suddenly changed, Holli returned to Portland, sold her home, and moved to Traverse City (a move she never regretted).

In 1998, she met the love of her life, Albert Vernon (Vern) Kinner. They were married in 2003, and settled in the Port of Old Mission in Traverse City. In Traverse City, Holli served as a counselor for SCORE, advising and working with small business owners in the area. She also served as a probate court volunteer involving juvenile offenders and court-appointed guardians for the elderly.

Holli was proud of her three children, and their contributions to the world around them. She was proud of her friendships that spanned decades, and of her volunteer work. Her volunteering began in 1957 at the Monroe County Hospital, where she started one of the first “Pink Lady” programs in the country. Among other efforts, Holli was accepted as a Peace Corps volunteer as an environmental specialist and small business advisor.

Holli is survived by her three children, John, Marianne & Heidi; and her 5 grandchildren, Holland Ringgenberg, Hope Ringgenberg, Christian Ringggenberg, Tristan Clark and Hannah Clark. Holli was preceded in death by her husband, Vern; and her brother, John Henry Holland.

At her request, she was cremated at Randall & Roberts Funeral Center in Noblesville, Indiana. A gravesite memorial service will be held at the cemetery of the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. She will be reunited with her husband, Vern, for eternity.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Holli’s name to the charity of one’s choice.