1931
Berton
2015
Berton Hovland
April 9, 1931 — March 15, 2015
Berton C. Hovland, 83, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, March 15, 2015, at his home.
Berton Hovland was born on April 9, 1931 to Henry O. and Emelia Marie (Zimmerman) Hovland on his grandparents' farm in Elizabeth Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully at age 83 on March 15, 2015 after spending the day surrounded by three generations of his loving family.
Bert spent his early childhood living near Maplewood State Park until his family moved to a dairy farm near Elizabeth MN. He attended a one-room schoolhouse nearby and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1949.
For two years, Bert farmed with his father until entering the United States Air Force in December of 1952. He was stationed at Parks Air Force Base in CA, Shepherd AFB in TX, and Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD, where he spent three years as a mechanic on B-36 airplanes. His service included a seven-month deployment to Guam AFB, near the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
Bert married Doris Evelyn Holsten (from Rapid City, South Dakota) in August of 1957 and after attending the University of Minnesota, they moved back to run the family farm in 1958. Over the next seven years, Bert and Doris gave birth to three daughters; Carrie, Pamela and Debra.
In addition to running the dairy farm, Bert started two businesses in Pelican Rapids -- Badger Sales and Service and West Side Service Station. In addition, Bert was involved with many civic and religious organizations and activities – a charter member of the Pelican Rapids Lions Club, a founding member of the Pelican Rapids Evangelical Free Church, President of the Otter Tail County NFO, to name a few. He was an avid camper and snowmobiler, a passionate fisherman, an occasional umpire and bowler, a fan of classic country music, an animal lover, and a skilled mechanic.
In 1974, Bert successfully ran for the office of Ottertail County Commissioner serving the 2nd District of Ottertail County. He was re-elected three additional times, serving as Commissioner for 16 years, and sat on many local and state boards including serving as Chairman of the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust.
After selling the family farm in 1974 to focus more time on his businesses, Bert and Doris and their family moved to Pelican Rapids. Bert later worked for Lillegard Equipment in Wahpeton, ND, Reuben Klein Motors and Fergus International Equip Co. in Fergus Falls and provided consultation for Waste Management, Inc. located in Wahpeton, ND.
In 1992, Bert and Doris moved to Fergus Falls. During his semi-retirement years, Bert worked part-time for the City of Fergus Falls and drove school bus for Ottertail Coaches.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emelia (Zimmerman) Hovland, and his sister Marilyn (Ken) Proffitt.
Bert is survived by his wife, Doris (Holsten) Hovland; three daughters, Carrie (Byron) Miller of Fergus Falls, Pamela Hovland (Steven Lawrence) of Wilton, CT, Debra Hovland (Doug Dorow) of Minneapolis; and his younger sister, Janice (Don) Benrud. Bert's seven grandchildren include Hailey (Ryan) Priola, Emily (Clint) Larby, Gregory (and Gwen) Lawrence, Christopher Lawrence, Henry Lawrence Hovland, Olivia Dorow Hovland and Elliot Dorow Hovland. Bert's six great-grandchildren include Ella, Wyatt and Cullen Priola and Dane, Deacon and Dani Larby.
Visitation: 5 – 7 PM, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service Thursday, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Pastor David Foss and Pastor Ed Monson
Military Honors: Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30, Fergus Falls
Bert's ashes will rest in the North Friborg Cemetery, rural Rothsay, near the family farm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lakeland Home Care of LB Homes, Fergus Falls.
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
Berton's Memorial Folder
Berton's Video Tribute
Berton Hovland was born on April 9, 1931 to Henry O. and Emelia Marie (Zimmerman) Hovland on his grandparents' farm in Elizabeth Township, Ottertail County, Minnesota. He passed away peacefully at age 83 on March 15, 2015 after spending the day surrounded by three generations of his loving family.
Bert spent his early childhood living near Maplewood State Park until his family moved to a dairy farm near Elizabeth MN. He attended a one-room schoolhouse nearby and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1949.
For two years, Bert farmed with his father until entering the United States Air Force in December of 1952. He was stationed at Parks Air Force Base in CA, Shepherd AFB in TX, and Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, SD, where he spent three years as a mechanic on B-36 airplanes. His service included a seven-month deployment to Guam AFB, near the end of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956.
Bert married Doris Evelyn Holsten (from Rapid City, South Dakota) in August of 1957 and after attending the University of Minnesota, they moved back to run the family farm in 1958. Over the next seven years, Bert and Doris gave birth to three daughters; Carrie, Pamela and Debra.
In addition to running the dairy farm, Bert started two businesses in Pelican Rapids -- Badger Sales and Service and West Side Service Station. In addition, Bert was involved with many civic and religious organizations and activities – a charter member of the Pelican Rapids Lions Club, a founding member of the Pelican Rapids Evangelical Free Church, President of the Otter Tail County NFO, to name a few. He was an avid camper and snowmobiler, a passionate fisherman, an occasional umpire and bowler, a fan of classic country music, an animal lover, and a skilled mechanic.
In 1974, Bert successfully ran for the office of Ottertail County Commissioner serving the 2nd District of Ottertail County. He was re-elected three additional times, serving as Commissioner for 16 years, and sat on many local and state boards including serving as Chairman of the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust.
After selling the family farm in 1974 to focus more time on his businesses, Bert and Doris and their family moved to Pelican Rapids. Bert later worked for Lillegard Equipment in Wahpeton, ND, Reuben Klein Motors and Fergus International Equip Co. in Fergus Falls and provided consultation for Waste Management, Inc. located in Wahpeton, ND.
In 1992, Bert and Doris moved to Fergus Falls. During his semi-retirement years, Bert worked part-time for the City of Fergus Falls and drove school bus for Ottertail Coaches.
Bert was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Emelia (Zimmerman) Hovland, and his sister Marilyn (Ken) Proffitt.
Bert is survived by his wife, Doris (Holsten) Hovland; three daughters, Carrie (Byron) Miller of Fergus Falls, Pamela Hovland (Steven Lawrence) of Wilton, CT, Debra Hovland (Doug Dorow) of Minneapolis; and his younger sister, Janice (Don) Benrud. Bert's seven grandchildren include Hailey (Ryan) Priola, Emily (Clint) Larby, Gregory (and Gwen) Lawrence, Christopher Lawrence, Henry Lawrence Hovland, Olivia Dorow Hovland and Elliot Dorow Hovland. Bert's six great-grandchildren include Ella, Wyatt and Cullen Priola and Dane, Deacon and Dani Larby.
Visitation: 5 – 7 PM, with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service Thursday, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, and one hour prior to services at the church.
Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2015 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.
Clergy: Pastor David Foss and Pastor Ed Monson
Military Honors: Harold T. Swenson VFW Post 612 and American Legion Post 30, Fergus Falls
Bert's ashes will rest in the North Friborg Cemetery, rural Rothsay, near the family farm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lakeland Home Care of LB Homes, Fergus Falls.
Condolences: GlendeNilson.com
Berton's Memorial Folder
Berton's Video Tribute
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