Hovey, Walter Martin -- 1925 - 2006

HOVEY, IVERSON, ERICKSON, BENZING, NOLAN, FOLSOM

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 6/2/2012 at 19:17:29

Walter “Walt” M. Hovey, age 80, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Thursday, January 19, 2006 at the Oneota Riverview Care Facility in Decorah, Iowa following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2006 at the First Lutheran Church in Decorah, Iowa, with Rev. Steve Jacobsen officiating. Burial will be in the Union Prairie Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa.

Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa and after 10:00 a.m. at the church on Monday morning. There will be a VFW Memorial Service at the funeral home at 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening.

Walter Martin Hovey was born on December 21, 1925 the son of Tom and Johanna (Iverson) Hovey in Decorah, Iowa. Walt was baptized on Jan. 24, 1926 and confirmed on March 26, 1940 at the First Lutheran Church. Walt attended country school near the Siewers Springs Fish Hatchery and then graduated from Decorah High School in 1945. While in high school, Walt excelled at playing football and even went on to play while at Luther College. He was drafted into the US Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. Walt returned to Decorah and worked for the Nordness Telephone Company. He then bought his own portable feed mill and ground feed for local farmers, while he also sold Supersweet Feeds. Walt married Lois Erickson on October 11, 1953 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Locust, and to this union, five children were born. Together they farmed south of Decorah for many years. Walt also did cattle hauling and trucking for area farmers. Walt enjoyed stockcar racing and was track champion at both the Decorah and Waukon tracks at the same time, and won the Old Timers Race at the Decorah track ten years ago. Walt followed all the activities that his children were involved with. Walt loved to gamble at the boat, play cards and joke around with everyone. Walt was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the Elks Lodge.

Walt’s survivors include his two daughters: Julie Hovey (Dean Nolan), Bonduel, WI and Janet Hovey, Ridgeway, IA. Two sons: Tom (Joanne) Hovey, Decorah, IA and Bruce (Lori) Hovey, Decorah, IA. Eight grandchildren: Heather (Mitch) Benzing, Jason Hovey, Josey Nolan, Travis Hovey, Troy Hovey, Ashley Hovey, Devon Hovey and Tyler Hovey. One great grandson: Luke Benzing. A very special caring friend, Erlene Fisher, Decorah, IA and a close friend, Mark Stockdale, Decorah, IA. One sister: Sylvia Folsom, Wheat Ridge, CO and one brother: Ted Hovey, Decorah, IA and many nieces and nephews.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents: Tom and Johanna Hovey; his wife: Lois on Feb. 23, 1991; one son: Dennis Hovey on Nov. 7, 1996; and two half brothers: Clarence and Ingolf Hovey.

Walt’s family would like express their gratitude to Erlene Fisher for being a special friend to Walt the past fourteen years and to Mark Stockdale, retired Army Sergeant First Class, for being a longtime friend of the family and for taking the time to drive Walt to Iowa City for doctor appointments, the River Boat to gamble and out for rides.

Source; Schluter – Balik Funeral Home database

Union Prairie Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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