HOLTZHEIMER, Florence Whitcomb Holtzheimer, one of Blaine's oldest pioneers passed away Friday night, April 15, (1949) in a Bellingham hospital. Born in Fayette county, Iowa, June 26, 1863, she came to the Pacific Northwest when a child of seven years, with her family and landed at the Semiahmoo Spit in September, 1870. It was an event that marked the arrival of Mrs. Holtzheimer and her sister Mrs. Minnie Bice as the first two white girls to arrive in Blaine. On June 26, 1879 she married Edward Holtzheimer who owned a homestead on California Creek. They resided on the creek for a number of years before moving into town. Her desire to start a Blaine hospital never materialized. To this couple, four sons, Ernest, Francis, William and Paul were born and remain to mourn her with nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, four nephews and two nieces. Pallbearers were Garrett Holtzheimer, Erman Holtzheimer, Theodore Holtzheimer, Jack Holtzheimer, Willis Loop and Carl Patrick, four of whom are grandchildren of the deceased. Internment was made in the California Creek cemetery, following the services conducted Monday, April 18, by Rev. Evan David at the McKinney Funeral home.
