Fern E. Hoven

Fern E. Hoven was called to be with the Lord on Jan. 1.

Born to Edith and Paul Wendland Sept. 24, 1914 as the surviving twin girl born prematurely weighing only 1 1/2 pounds. She attended Trinity Lutheran School and was active in the church in Rochester, Minn., serving in Altar Guild, Ladies Aide and prayer circle.

Fern met the love of her life, Russell Hoven and they were married Dec. 17, 1935. A few years later, this dairy farmer moved “the city girl” and their daughter, Janet, to a large farm. Work with a variety of animals and crops was intense during the years of World War II. A huge victory garden produced great vegetables to be canned, enough in fact to feed relatives whose husbands served in the Army.

The war ended and a second daughter, Faith, was welcomed. After a time, Fern and Russ moved back to Rochester to open a guest house. “Hoven’s Corner” provided clean, reasonable-price rooms to people who came to the Mayo Clinic for health care. Russell had been hired by Electrolux as a salesman — employment he kept for 40 years.

Upon retirement they moved to Tequesta, Fla, to be close to Faith and her family. After Russell died there at age 82, Fern returned to Rochester temporarily. She ended up in Montana with her daughter Janet until she died at 99.

She will be remembered for her fine memory, her strong spirit and determination, her generosity and gift of encouraging others.

She is survived by her daughters, Faith Sotolongo of Boynton Beach, Fla., and Janet Collins of Whitefish. Six grandchildren, Christian Matdies and wife Amanda, Maraika Eaton and husband Greg, and Timothy Matdies, all of Montana. Patricia Mundarain and husband Dimitri, Cari Rupkalvis and husband Greg, in Florida, and Tony Sotolongo and his friend Karen Raufch in Colorado.

Also surviving are 10 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and one sister-in-law.

Fern’s final resting place will be next to Russell in Rochester, Minn.