Hovden, Alan Keith 1838 - 2021

HOVDEN, JOHNSON, LEIDAHL, SYVERSON, HOVEY, HARGER, PANKOW

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/18/2021 at 16:08:12

U.S. Veteran
Alan Hovden, age 82, of Ridgeway, IA, died on Sunday, January 10, 2021 at his home outside of Ridgeway.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday morning at the church.

Everyone attending will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Memorials may be sent to Alan's family at: 2783 Madison Rd, Ridgeway, IA 52165

Alan Keith Hovden was born on December 2, 1938 the son of Edward and Martha (Johnson) Hovden in Rochester, MN. He graduated from Decorah High School in 1956. After high school, Alan enlisted in the Army where he served for three years. Alan married the love of his life, Delores Leidahl on October 11, 1958 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church. Together they had three children: Brian, Scott and Marsha. Most of their marriage was spent on the family farm in Ridgeway, where they farmed together for twenty-five years before starting Walnut Creek Saddle shop in Decorah, which enticed Alan to return to sales which aligned his love for horses and traveling with Delores, and allowed them to create 30 years of memories, traveling locally and abroad, and meeting lots of new people. His life was evermore brightened by the addition of 7 grandchildren, where he spent lots of time watching their sporting events and visiting them at every opportunity.

Alan, Dad, Grandpa will be forever missed for the mischievous smirk he would have on his face when he had a book of matches in his pocket and a field to burn, his ability to always make sure there was a bottle of wine open, his never-ending love for mules and a story to be told to anyone who would listen. He and Delores spent many winters in warmer weather where they loved to spend time with their friends, playing cards, going to honky-tonks and buying the local pottery in Mexico. He enjoyed anything that included his family, especially his grandchildren and always found joy in mowing his ever-growing lawn. He was a member of the Elks Club and Decorah Lutheran Church.

No combination of words can express what Alan meant to everyone he met. The world lost a warm witted, loving man whose void will be very difficult to fill but our promise to him is to make sure our sense of adventure never wavers, his stories never stop being told, our glasses are never to be empty, and we always make time for family first.

Alan is survived by his wife: Delores. Children: Brian Hovden, LeMars, IA; Scott (Viset) Hovden, Ridgeway, IA and Marsha (Kevin) Syverson, Decorah, IA. Grandchildren: Kacey and Jonathan Hovden; Serina and Jake Hovden; Adam (Luray) Hovey; Aaron and Eric Syverson. Brother-in-law: Wayne (MaryLou) Leidahl, Waukon, IA. Sister-in-law: Helen (Orv) Harger, Des Moines, IA along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Edward and Martha (Johnson) Hovden. Brother: Mark Hovden. Father and mother-in-law: Guy and Caroline (Pankow) Leidahl. Son-in-law: Chuck Hovey.

Source: Schluter-Balik Funeral Home database

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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