Harlan Parnell Hovey was born on February 5, 1922 in Cresco, Iowa to Phillip and Johanna (Hanson) Hovey. He was baptized and confirmed in the Orleans Lutheran Church. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1940 and attended electrical school in Chicago, Illinois. On June 10, 1945, he and Norma Stinson were united in marriage at Orleans Lutheran Church. Harlan’s sister, Wilma, married Galin Barth on the same date in a double ceremony. Harlan and Norma became the proud parents of six daughters. Six sons joined the family through marriages.
Harlan and Norma farmed together for sixteen years on three farms in rural Orleans Township before moving to rural Burr Oak, Iowa where Harlan operated a Northeast Iowa Farm Service gas truck for many years and eventually also resumed farming on a smaller scale. Norma passed away December 27, 2002. Harlan enjoyed children, horses, traveling, fishing trips, and old time dances and card clubs.
Harlan passed away Thursday, April 28, 2011 at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel at the age of 89.
Harlan is survived by his daughters and sons-in law, Louise and Donald Kleiboer, Mabel, MN; Marlene and Arlan Thompson, Iowa City, IA; Susan and Sonny Caputo, Springfield, VA; Myrna Wilson, Decorah, IA; Juanita and Jeffery DeLong, Marion, IA; and Jolene and James Lawrence, Waukesha, WI. Additional survivors include his grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Heather Kleiboer; Ernie Kleiboer; Aaron and Deanna Thompson; Rachel and Jeremy Pekari; Rebekah and Vijay Golla, and Ruth Thompson; Chad and Jessie Wilson; Chet (fiancée Jen Tweten) Wilson, Cory and Stacey Wilson, Carla and Bill Richardson, and Caryn (friend Gene Halverson) Wilson; JoliAnn Schroeder and Joshua DeLong; and Nicholas and Arin Lawrence; great grandchildren, Katelyn and Dawson Kleiboer, Reese, Sage, and Graham Thompson, Nathaniel, Joshua, and Elijah Pekari, Austin and Hannah Wilson, Waylon Richardson, and Jaxton Schroeder; step-grandchildren Gina and Terry Gallagher, Michael and Lisa Caputo, and Andrew and Allyson Caputo; step-great grandchildren Trent, Bridget, Darby, and Sadie Gallagher, Skylar and Hayley Caputo, and Vincent and Anthony Caputo; brother Ken (Roseann) Hovey of Atkins, Iowa; sister Kathryn (Vernon) Spilde of Decorah; sister-in-law Colleen Hovey of Cresco; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Norma; his parents Phillip and Johanna; sisters Phyllis and Carol in infancy, Wilma Barth and her husband Galin; brothers Maynard Hovey and Phillip and his wife Rose; son-in-law Larry Wilson; and nieces Tina Hovey and Cheryl Spilde Dignin.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday, May 2, 2011 at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church in Burr Oak, Iowa with the Rev. Matt Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Orleans Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 – 6 PM Sunday, May 1 at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church and also one hour prior to services. The family prefers memorials to your favorite church or charity in Harlan's memory. |
