Alma Holter

Alma Holter

September 30, 1942 – November 11, 2026

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of our cherished mother, Alma Holter, who went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 11, 2026, at the age of 84.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Lucy (Miller) Mast; her loving husband, Frank Holter, with whom she shared 38 wonderful years of marriage; eleven sisters; one brother; and one granddaughter.

Alma is survived by her seven children, Robert and Lori (Tomlinson) Troyer, Joseph Troyer, Ron and Carol (Troyer) Potts, Keith and Joyce (Horn) Troyer, Vance and Monica (Bruce) Holter, Terry and Jodi (Lewis) Holter, and Missy (Holter) Thibodeau, her sister Susie (John) Eicher, sixteen grandchildren, thirty great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Alma was born on September 30, 1942, in Holmes County, Ohio. Her name means heart, nourishing, and kind which she emulated. She was raised in an Amish family and received her education through the eighth grade. At a young age, she developed a passion for cooking, which became a lifelong gift she shared with countless others. Through her dedication, hard work, and love for serving people, her and Frank built Alma's Family Restaurant. She was well known for her delicious home-cooked meals, especially her famous Comforting Cookies with a good cup of coffee, which brought joy and comfort to so many.

One of Alma's greatest treasures was her family. Her daughter, Carol, had been working on a cookbook honoring her mother's recipes and legacy, a project Alma knew about and greatly appreciated. That cookbook will now serve as a loving tribute to her memory.

After leaving the Amish, Alma attended a Mennonite church, where she heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her salvation marked the beginning of a lifelong walk with the Lord. She loved Jesus deeply and faithfully lived out her faith each day. Her love for Christ became a lasting legacy within her family, who share the same faith and the hope of eternal life through Him.

Alma was deeply involved in Grace Baptist Church in Newark, where she faithfully served and cared for others for almost 40 years. She started attending when Keith was the Assistant Pastor. Missionaries held a special place in her heart, and she prayed for them daily. Those who knew Alma will remember her kindness, gentleness, compassion, unwavering faith, and genuine love for people. She had a unique way of making everyone feel welcomed and valued. Her life reflected the love of Christ, and countless people were touched by her encouragement, prayers, and example. So many shared how she was a light and shining presence.

Alma expressed her love through the countless quilts, handmade gifts, and crafts she created for family and friends over the years. Every child, grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild received a special quilt from her hands, each one a lasting reminder of her love and care. She enjoyed quilting, crocheting, creating stained-glass artwork, gardening, and nurturing her many plants. She loved playing card games and Wordle (of which the last word was Bless), and she cherished the companionship of her beloved pets, Goliath, Crackerjack, and Rusty. Alma was also active in TOPS, where she formed many meaningful friendships and touched the lives of countless people. She loved opening her home to neighbors and friends, always making others feel welcomed and valued. Through these simple but meaningful acts, Alma consistently put others before herself, leaving a sweet and lasting impact on everyone who knew her.

Though Alma is no longer with us, her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Her life was a testimony of God's grace, and her greatest desire was that others would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

At her church’s Mother’s Day celebration, she shared with everyone her favorite verses:

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24

As we grieve her passing, we do so with hope, knowing that she is with her Savior and experiencing greater joy than ever before. Her prayer for everyone was simple and heartfelt: that each person would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

Visitation will be held on November 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer Northeast Chapel, 3047 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Columbus, Ohio 43231 (614-818-1188). The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with her Pastor Troy Kahler officiating, with grave side service to follow at Maplewood Cemetery, 4585 Reynoldsburg-New Albany Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054.

She wrote in her “I’m grateful for” box with lasting words of comfort from first Thessalonians 4:16-18, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

We love you so very much, mom.

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