Karmen John "K.J." Hovden

Karmen John "K.J." Hovden, age 19, of Decorah, IA, died on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street, Decorah, IA, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs presiding. Burial will be in the Russell Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa. Friends may call from 3:00-7:00 p.m., on Monday, May 27, 2013, and also from 9:00-10:00 a.m., Tuesday morning at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 307 West Main Street in Decorah. Memorials may be given to the K.J. Hovden Memorial Scholarship Fund, 2861 Clay Hill Road, Decorah, IA 52101. Karmen John “K.J.” Hovden was born on August 13, 1993, the son of Daryl and Linda (Brady) Hovden in Atlanta, Georgia. KJ moved with his family to Decorah in February of 2001. He attended Decorah Community Schools and graduated in May of 2012 from Decorah High School. He recently completed his first year of college at DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College). While in high school, K.J. was active in wrestling, football and was on the Honor Roll. He was active in FFA and 4-H, and enjoyed showing cattle at the Winneshiek County Fair. K.J. enjoyed farming, driving tractors and operating equipment at his family farm north of Decorah. He loved being with his family and socializing with friends and always had a big smile on his face. K.J. enjoyed going to stock car races, watching his Grandpa Marvin and Uncle Dave at the tractor pulls. He always had a way of catching the biggest fish when he went fishing with his family. K.J. was an avid Iowa State sports fan and was enrolled this fall to attend ISU with his brother, Andy. K.J. was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church. K.J. is survived by his father, Daryl Hovden, Decorah, IA, and his mother, Linda Hovden, Waterloo, IA. Two brothers: Andy Hovden and Jake Hovden, both of Decorah, IA. His paternal grandparents: Marvin and Donna Hovden. Aunts and uncles: David Hovden, Dan (Sally) Hovden, Denise (Gary) Baumler, Dean (Rhonda) Hovden, Dale (Tina) Hovden, all of Decorah, IA, and Patrick (Susan) Brady, Cape May, NJ. Special friend: Megan Lien, and the Gary and Patty Lien family, Calmar, IA. Cousins: Tera (Kevin) Mathis & sons, Tessia (Jon) Wangsness & children, Shauna, Molly, Maggie & Knute Hovden, Cavin & Carston Baumler, Hannah (Jordan Young) Hovden & son, Heath Hovden, Kelsey & Kenzie Hovden. Great aunts and uncles: Kay Reagan, Waukon, IA; Donald (Ina) Hovden, Burr Oak, IA; Sarah (Dave) Otteson, Decorah, IA; Mary (Hubie) Teslow, Decorah, IA; Dorothy (Larry) Brooks, Anamosa, IA; Kate Hovden, Decorah, IA; Georgiann (Duwayne) Schweinefus, Decorah, IA, along with all the Hovden, Curtin and Casey relatives. K.J. was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents: Chris & Evelyn (Blossums) Brady.