Laurence Dayton Hollihan

Laurence Dayton Hollihan, age 98, passed away on February 7, 2026, in Wyoming, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 72 years Anita (Arcand) Hollihan. Together they raised a large and boisterous family including Thomas A. Hollihan (Patricia Riley) of Los Angeles, CA, Daniel Hollihan (LouAnn) of Centuria, WI, Lynn Bruce (Roger) of Stacy, MN, James Hollihan (Laura) of Pine City, MN, Rita Hendricks (Kevin) of Forest Lake, MN, and Anita Hollihan McKinley of Orono, MN. They are also survived by 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. They were preceded in death by one grandson, James Joseph Hollihan.

Laurence was born in Minneapolis, MN to Thomas J. Hollihan and Bernice (Dayton) Hollihan. He is survived by his brother Thomas J. Hollihan, Jr. (Running Springs, CA) and sisters Mary Church (Dallas, TX) and Margaret Olson (Brookfield, WI). He was preceded in death by two brothers Robert Hollihan and Richard Hollihan.

Laurence earned his living as a long-haul truck driver, and he drove millions of miles often on treacherous icy highways. He was deeply proud of his safe driving record and his mastery of U.S. geography. He did not need to consult a map and could provide the quickest, or the most scenic (depending on your desire) routes to almost every corner of the nation. He loved good conversations, sharing jokes, road trip vacations, country- music, old western films, and playing cards. He was wickedly successful in cribbage, spades, and family poker games. He and Anita spent approximately two decades of their retirement in Las Vegas where they made many new friends and delighted in hosting their Minnesota friends and relatives in their home during the winter months. In the spring and fall they along with their cat (first Norton and later Sally) would embark on the long trip between Nevada and Minnesota to enjoy the Minnesota summer and to spend time with their family and relatives in the Midwest.

Laurence kept his keen intellect right up to the very end. He faithfully read the newspaper each morning and monitored daily events by watching the news. He was a person of great empathy and concern for the well-being of others. He held strong political views, but at least in recent years, artfully learned how to avoid arguments with those who did not share them. He spent the last three years of his life at the Meadows on Fairview in Wyoming where he received amazing care and won the affection of the staff and other residents. His family is very grateful for the love and kindness he was given during this time.

Our father and grandfather fully enjoyed life and modeled how to live a rewarding life filled with love. He was sustained by his genuine optimism and his ability to find joy in something everyday. He wanted those who knew him to come together to celebrate his life and not grieve over his passing. It is in that spirit that we invite you to attend a visitation and wake on March 26th from 4-7 pm at Mattson’s Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive in Forest Lake. A short visitation from 10 – 11 and a funeral mass at 11 am will be held at the St. John the Baptist campus of St. Genevieve at 14383 Forest Boulevard N in Hugo on March 27. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Hugo, with lunch served at the St. Genevieve parish center in Centerville. 

Remembrances can also be sent to Northwoods Humane Society, Forest Lake, MN. https://northwoodshs.org/ways-to-help or the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/.