Marlies “Lee” Ingrid Holden (Mecke) was born November 25, 1942, in Bad Pyrmont, Germany, and passed away unexpectedly on October 31, 2018, in Roseville, California.

Marlies was a wonderful mother, loving wife, devoted Omi (grandmother), and a friend to many.  She met Marion “Ray” Holden (USAF Retired) in Germany, and they were married on January 4, 1963, in her hometown of Bad Pyrmont, Germany. She immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen on May 31, 1966. Once in the United States, they lived in Nebraska and Wisconsin, then settled in Sacramento, CA, before moving to Roseville, CA, in 1973. She graduated from American River College with a degree in Nursing in 1978, and became a Registered Nurse (RN) working at Roseville Hospital until 1992, when she retired on disability.

Marion (her husband) preceded her in death in 1993, and her mother, Helene, passed in 1973, and her father, Ludwig, died in 1942 (Battle of Stalingrad).  She leaves behind her daughter Michelle (Citrus Heights, CA) and her three kids: Taylor, Riley, and Joshua; and her son Steven (San Diego, CA) and his wife Christy, and their three kids: Conrad, Spencer, and Carson. In addition, there is a deep loss by her brother Ludwig and his wife Crystal, and their daughter Gabi (and their extended family in Germany).

Marlies had a very active retirement.  She traveled with friends and family and hosted many friends from Germany at her house for extended vacations. She loved to play Mahjong both on the computer and with physical tiles on a weekly game day. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, Widowed Singles, and several other organizations. She often served in many leadership positions, including creating monthly newsletters and calendars. Her house was always open to her grandchildren, and she cared for them with great love.

Marlies was a huge dog lover. From Rusty to Pepper to Chew-Lin to Ling-Ling to Emma, dogs played an important part in her life.  She loved them all, and she was an amazingly patient dog owner.

She will be eternally loved and deeply missed by all who knew her.

A Memorial Service was held in Roseville, CA on April 27, 2019 in the Sacramento/Roseville area.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made in Marlies Holden’s name to Special Olympics.

Updated: 3/28/2026