1922
Martha
2015
Martha Hovland
July 28, 1922 — August 21, 2015
Martha Hovland, 93, of Fergus Falls, died Friday, August 21, 2015, at Pioneer Suites, Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Martha Irene Hovland was born to John and Sigrid (Hill) Merila on July 28, 1922 in Chisholm, MN. She was raised on the Iron Range and spoke Finnish until she learned to speak English in school. Martha graduated from Chisholm High School in 1940 and attended Hibbing Community College.
During WWII, she worked for Selective Service System and transferred to Fergus Falls in 1944. Martha was the Zion Lutheran Church secretary for a number of years and had blue fingertips from running the mimeograph machine. She did not transition to an electric typewriter until she was in her late 80's.
She married Kenneth Hovland, November 19, 1950 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Martha lived at Pioneer Suites, where she was known for her perpetual jigsaw puzzle assembly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; brother, Donald Merila; sisters, Tiny Hillman and Mayme Wright.
She is survived by her children, Irene (Jim) Stecher of Florida, Nancy (Ken) Nelson of Texas, and Mark "Sparky" (Priscilla) Hovland of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.
Memorial Service: 3:00 PM Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to services.
Clergy: Pastor Chris Eldredge
Cemetery: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Martha'a Folder
Martha Hovland Tribute Video
Martha Irene Hovland was born to John and Sigrid (Hill) Merila on July 28, 1922 in Chisholm, MN. She was raised on the Iron Range and spoke Finnish until she learned to speak English in school. Martha graduated from Chisholm High School in 1940 and attended Hibbing Community College.
During WWII, she worked for Selective Service System and transferred to Fergus Falls in 1944. Martha was the Zion Lutheran Church secretary for a number of years and had blue fingertips from running the mimeograph machine. She did not transition to an electric typewriter until she was in her late 80's.
She married Kenneth Hovland, November 19, 1950 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Martha lived at Pioneer Suites, where she was known for her perpetual jigsaw puzzle assembly.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; brother, Donald Merila; sisters, Tiny Hillman and Mayme Wright.
She is survived by her children, Irene (Jim) Stecher of Florida, Nancy (Ken) Nelson of Texas, and Mark "Sparky" (Priscilla) Hovland of Fergus Falls; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to an organization of the donor's choice.
Memorial Service: 3:00 PM Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to services.
Clergy: Pastor Chris Eldredge
Cemetery: Knollwood Memorial Gardens, Fergus Falls
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
Condolences: www.GlendeNilson.com
Martha'a Folder
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martha Hovland, please visit our flower store.