Barbara Susan Mattson Holm, born October 6, 1941, died July 27, 2026, after an illness. Barbara grew up in Rush City, Minnesota. After marrying Norman Holm, she started a housewives variety radio show at the local Anoka KANO radio station. She later lived and worked in Honolulu, Hawaii for many years. In 1983, she helped launch an industry publication, Hawaii Foodservice News, serving as editor and the primary advertising salesperson. During the years when Hawaii was in the culinary spotlight with the advent of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Barbara was known by everyone from top celebrity chefs to catering execs. Owners of Hawaii’s small, family-owned restaurants read her column What’s Cookin’ religiously from the neighbor islands. Barbara was active in the Hawaii hotel and restaurant industry and is remembered for her wit, intelligence, and professionalism she brought to the stories and people she encountered. Her charisma, irreverent sense of humor, and knowledge of local restaurants and hotels made her a well-known personality in the hospitality industry during the 80s and 90s.

She married Bob Holmstrom and they spent many happy years together. She was inducted into the Hawaii Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She created a coloring book called A Visit to Hawaii with an artist friend that sold throughout the islands. She had many other endeavors too numerous to mention, and lived life to the fullest along the way. Barbara spent her last thirteen years in Minnesota surrounded by family and friends, and was a favorite resident of The Plaza by Vivie in Anoka. Her wry sense of humor and happy countenance will be missed by many.

Barbara will be remembered for the joy she brought across the places she called home, and for the many lives she touched along the way. She is survived by her children, Greg (Linda) Holm, Becky Holm, Brett Holm, and Mandy (Jeff) Johnson; grandchildren Alex and Sarah Holm; Brandon, Britney, Brooklyn and Brandt Johnson; as well as many other family and friends. She is preceded in death by husbands Norman Holm and Robert Holmstrom, father Archie Mattson, mother Doris Hermel and brother Fred Mattson.

A Celebration of Life will be held August 30, 2026 at Willy McCoys in Andover, MN from 2 – 6 pm. www.willymccoys.com/location/andover/ Food and drinks available for purchase.