Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
John Hovey
John Donald Hovey, 86, of New Rockford, North Dakota, died on November 8, 2024, at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.
John was born on September 25, 1938, in Minot to Donald and Jeanette (Anderson) Hovey. John was a 1956 graduate of Minot Model High School, received a business degree from the University of North Dakota in 1961, and graduated from the UND School of Law in 1964.
He was united in marriage to Karen Halling of Bisbee, North Dakota, in June of 1961, and they were blessed with three children.
A passion for life and learning propelled John through life. He loved to collect and restore cars. John loved to hunt, fish and travel, and if he could combine all three, even better. He was a history buff and often combined those interests with family trips. Karen and John especially enjoyed their trips to Europe.
John practiced law in New Rockford from 1964 to 2001, starting his career with the firm of Mattson and Williams. A member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota from 1964 to 2001, John was also admitted to practice before the North Dakota Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota and the United States Supreme Court. John served as a Trial Judge on the Spirit Lake Reservation, as Eddy County Assistant States Attorney, Eddy County Justice, and as City Attorney for many years. John graduated from the National College of the State Judiciary in Reno, Nevada.
John was a member and past president of New Rockford Kiwanis Club, First Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church Foundation, Lutheran Home of the Good Shepard Foundation and Celebrations Incorporated. He served as mayor of New Rockford from 1984 to 1992 and was active over the years in various other civic associations.
He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity at UND, of the Minot and Devils Lake Elks Lodges, the New Rockford Eagles Aerie #2923, a past Master of Century Masonic Lodge #60, a member of the El Zagal Shrine Temple, past president of Mid State Shrine Club, and past Director of Court 67 of the Royal Order of Jesters. John was a Life Member and Past President of the New Rockford Golf Club, and will be buried in the Prairie Home Cemetery, near the seventh hole tee box.
John was preceded in death by his parents Don and Jeanette. John loved his family and they will miss him immensely. Surviving him are his wife Karen, brother Robert (Betty) Hovey of Bellevue, NE, Karen’s sister Kathy (Bill) Nichols of Helena, MT, children Steven (Joyce) Hovey of Austin, MN, James (Annette) Hovey of New Rockford, ND, and Kristin (Kurt) Veitch of Tucson, AZ, as well as grandchildren Mackenzie (Alex), Maggie (Levi), Marissa, Ashley (John), Jonathan, Alex (Erica), and Nicholas, and the newest generation, great grandchildren Emma, Elli, Isaac, Dylan, Evette and James, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials can be made in lieu of flowers to the Prairie Home Cemetery or Shriners Hospitals for Children. John’s family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your friendship and support over the years and especially during this time.
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 10:00AM-11:00AM, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00AM all at the First Lutheran Church in New Rockford.
John’s Burial will take place at the Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford.
A Fellowship gathering will be held after at the New Rockford Golf Course.
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I am so sorry to here about John’s passing he was a good man and friend. he will be missed
So very blessed to call John and Karen good neighbors for over 25 years. Our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Please accept our sincerest condolences. We are very sorry for your family’s loss.
DEAR KAREN: I’M SENDING YOU ONE BIG HUG. SO SORRY YOU HAVE LOST YOUR SOULMATE AND BEST FRIEND. JOHN WAS YOUR PERFECT PARTNER FOR 63 YEARS. I ENJOYED JOHN’S FRIENDSHIP SINCE WE STARTED LAW SCHOOL IN 1961. WE KEPT OUR SPORTS CONNECTION OVER HE YEARS ATTENDING MANY FROZEN FOURS AND OTHER HOCKEY AND FOOTBALL EVENTS. JOHN CONTRIBUTED HIS TIME AND TALENTS TO HIS FAMILY. COMMUNITY, FAITH, PROFESSION AND THE UND FIGHTING SIOUX. HE WAS AN AMAZING FATHER AND GRANDPARENT TO YOUR AMAZING FAMILY. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS CLEAR THAT JOHN LIVED A GOOD LIFE AND THAT HE LEFT THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE. MAY PLEASANT MEMORIES SUSTAIN THE FAMILY AT THIS TIME. REST IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND.
Karen and family, I am sorry to hear of John’s passing. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Jim – I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father – may God’s peace and comfort be with your Dad, you and your entire family at this time. Take Care.
As former residents of New Rockford from 1982-1987, we knew John well and respected him as a community leader. He will be missed by all who had the honor and privilege of knowing him. Our prayers and our love go out to Karen and the rest of John’s family.
My dear friend, Karen and family. Words cannot express how sorry I am, for the loss of your dearest John. You and John were the first people that we met in North Dakota, back in 2007. We couldn’t have chosen better neighbors. Alex loved, loved going fishing with John and the guys, even if he was the youngest, and had to take the boat in and out of the water, lol! It was his pleasure, and he loved every minute of it. We love you both and I hope to meet John on the other side one day.
Donna (Lail) Young
Dear Karen and family,
Lonny and I want to extend our deepest sympathies of the passing of John. He was so much more than our landlord; he was our friend. May he rest in peace, tinker on his cars, check the fields, and watch over you all!
Partnered with John, and two other New Rockford guys in building the retirement homes in New Rockford and Cooperstown back in the mic 70’s. All three were super to work with AND FUN!!! Miss all three of you guys!!
Jim, I didn’t have the privilege of knowing your dad, but I know you which tells me everything I would need to know about him as a wonderful person. I’m very sorry for his loss and the pain that loss is causing your family. Know that my heart goes out to each and every one of you. Cherish the memories. God Bless and take care.
Jim & family…as fast as the internet is, we just now heard that John passed. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family during this hard time. With deepest sympathy…Rick & Nikki Lies
Sad to her the news of John’s passing. Great memories of the Hovey family, especially golf with Steve and baseball with Jim. My deepest condolences to Karen, Steve, Jim, and Kristin as well as all family and friends. Mr. Hovey will be missed by many as he made a huge mark in New Rockford.