‘We have lost our biggest hero’: Funeral for Laurie Holt to be held Saturday

‘We have lost our biggest hero’: Funeral for Laurie Holt to be held Saturday

(Spenser Heaps, KSL, File)


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RIVERTON — A viewing for Laurie Holt, who died Sunday, is scheduled to be held Friday and a funeral will be held Saturday, according to the Holt family.

Holt, 50, of Riverton, was found unresponsive by her husband, Jason, when he attempted to wake her up for church Sunday morning, former Utah congresswoman Mia Love told The Associated Press on Monday. Love and former Utah senator Orrin Hatch each worked with Laurie Holt to help get her son, Josh, out of a Venezuelan prison.

Josh Holt was first imprisoned in late June 2016 and was released from a Caracas, Venezuela prison in May 2018.

“We have lost our biggest hero, but Heaven has gained a mighty warrior,” the Holt family wrote in an obituary posted online by Goff Mortuary.

A public viewing will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson & Goff Mortuary, 11859 S. 700 East in Draper. A second viewing will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stake center located at 12110 S. 1300 West in Riverton from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday before a funeral service at noon.

While Laurie Holt was remembered in the public for her tireless efforts to get her son out of prison, her family and friends also remembered her for her faith and friendliness toward others.

“Laurie was often referred to as ‘Momma Bear’ because of her caring and loving nature,” the Holt family wrote in the obituary. “Many will remember Laurie for her vivacious personality. She relished in the company of others, always lighting the room with her smile.”

The obituary added that Laurie Holt was born in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1968 and had just celebrated her 32nd marriage anniversary with Jason Holt last week. She also leaves behind four children: Derek, Josh, Katie and Jenna.

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Both Love and Hatch expressed their condolences to the Holt family on Sunday. Love also started a GoFundMe page* that has raised more than $8,000 toward funeral expenses, as of Wednesday evening.

“(Laurie) was a beautiful person and always had a smile,” Love said in a statement on Sunday. “My prayers and love are with her husband Jason, her children and grandchildren that she has left for now.”


*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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Carter Williams, KSLCarter Williams
Carter Williams is a reporter for KSL. He covers Salt Lake City, statewide transportation issues, outdoors, the environment and weather. He is a graduate of Southern Utah University.
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