By HDN Staff
INVERNESS Walter Ernest Hovee, 92, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, at a Chester rest home.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin. Burial will follow at the Joplin Cemetery.
Hovee was born April 17, 1909, in Alsen, N.D., to Edward and Inga (Espeseth) Hovee. The family moved to Inverness in 1911 and built a general merchandise store called Hovee Brothers. Walter grew up in Inverness and received his education there. He graduated from Inverness High School in 1928. In the years that followed, he worked in the store and helped with the family farming operations in the Inverness community.
Walt married Ruth L. Dedic on March 25, 1940, at Havre. They lived and worked on a farm north of Inverness until 1950, then moved into town. They continued to farm until their retirement in 1985, then leased their place out. They moved to Great Falls in 1990. Walt's health began to fail in 1998, so he transferred to the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester.
Walter was a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Joplin and served on the church council and related committees. He also served on the Hill County ASCS committee for many years.
His hobbies were many. He loved to attend high school sporting events and was an avid TV sports fan. In his younger years, Walt enjoyed fishing, working in his yard, and playing cards, especially bridge and pinochle. He could fix almost anything and liked to tinker in his garage. During his quiet time, Walt enjoyed reading and following the stock market. He loved all animals, especially cats. He was proud of his 50-year career as a Montana farmer.
His family described Walt as a private person, homebody, deep thinker, dedicated family man and friend.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Agnes; brothers, Kenneth, Lloyd and Stanley.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth Hovee of Great Falls; son, Clark Hovee of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, Laurie Hovee-Migneault of Great Falls; one grandson; several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Home, Chester.
