Verne Duane Hovden

Verne D. Hovden, age 81, of Decorah, IA, died Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah of congestive heart failure. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Madison Lutheran Church in rural Ridgeway, Iowa, by Rev. Phillip Olson and Rev. Ginny Olson, with burial in the church cemetery, with full military honors. Friends may call from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Friday, March 17, 2006 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and an hour prior to the services on Saturday at the church. Verne Duane Hovden was born on April 14, 1924 at home in Madison Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa the son of Godfred Henry and Annette Marie (Skadeland) Hovden. He was baptized on May 4, 1924 and confirmed on May 21, 1939 at Madison Lutheran Church. Verne attended rural school and graduated from Decorah High School with the Class of 1943. He then entered the US Navy and served from January 6, 1944 and was honorably discharged as a Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class on April 24, 1946. Verne did carpenter work for two years following his service and then he began farming. He started farming on his family farm in Bluffton Township. He was united in marriage to Janet E. Lyngaas on February 18, 1955 at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: Ruth, Leslie, Carol and Cathy. Verne and Janet began farming on his home farm and later rented a farm. They purchased their own farm two miles north of Ridgeway in Madison Township in 1960. Janet died on October 31, 1969. Verne married Margurete M. Depping on June 29, 1972 at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, rural Decorah. The couple made their home on Verne’s farm and lived there until 1986, when they moved into Decorah. They lived in Decorah until 1991, and returned to their farm for five years. They returned to Decorah in August 1997. In October 2004, Verne and Margurete moved into an assisted living apartment at the Barthell Eastern Star Home. Verne was an active member of Madison Lutheran Church and a life member of the Helof-Holm Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No.1977 in Decorah. He took great pride in his farm and was meticulous in the care and appearance of his property. He and Margurete spent fifteen winters in Arizona, ending in 1997 due to his failing health. Survivors include his wife, Margurete of Decorah; a daughter, Cathy (Scott) Decker of Byron, MN; a son, Les (Audrey) Hovden of Decorah, IA; a step-daughter, Joan (John) Willmann of Richmond, TX; a step-son, John (Mary) Sersland of Rockwell City, IA; four grandchildren, Christa Decker of Rochester, MN, Kyle Decker of Byron, MN, Mitchel and Daniel Hovden of Decorah; five step-grandchildren, Laura (Bill) Mason of San Antonio, TX, Paul Willmann of Houston, TX, Peter Sersland of Sac City, IA, Eva Sersland and Zachary Sersland of Rockwell City, IA; two sisters, Amy (Loren) Rue of Decorah, IA, and Lou Ann Meyer of Dubuque, IA. Verne was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Janet on October 31, 1969; and two daughters, Ruth on October 9, 1955 and Carol on March 9, 1967. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to The Barthell Eastern Star Home, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Decorah, IA 52101 or the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) National Headquarters, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.