Viola Hoven, 1923-2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jan 23, 2023 | 10:05 AM / 515 views
Viola Hoven, 99, Hoven, SD, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family, on Saturday, January 21, 2023.
Viola was of the generation that grew up in the hard times of the Depression, learning the values of family, hard work, and neighbor helping neighbor. She came of age during WW II, watching friends and loved ones, including her own brother, go off to war, not knowing if she would ever see them again. One of her dear friends left on the train from Pierre singing “So Long Pal” to her and the group of friends who came to see him off. That friend, Leonard Hoven, never returned. After the war, she met and married his brother Frank and together they farmed and raised 10 children.
Viola Huber, daughter of Susan (Fasbender) and Louie Huber, was born on the family farm near Hoven on December 26, 1923. She was educated at rural schools and St. Anthony’s School in Hoven. Viola graduated with the Hoven High School Class of 1942. Following her schooling, she worked as a secretary for two years. Viola married Frank Hoven October 16, 1946 at Hoven. They farmed outside Hoven until 1982 when they moved into town. Frank died April 20, 2005 and Viola lived the rest of her life in Hoven. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Church in Hoven, Catholic Aid Association, National Catholic Society of Foresters, and St. Anthony’s Altar Society. Viola also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary, was a member of the Hoven Senior Citizens, and the Hoven Service Club. In addition, she belonged to the VFW Auxiliary and was a valued volunteer at The Treasure Hut. She enjoyed her weekly card parties with her friends. She also enjoyed quilting, dancing (Frank was a great dancer!), gardening, baking and her daily crossword puzzle and scrabble.
Viola’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page and be available Thursday night at this website.
Viola is survived by four sons—Ernest (Carol) Hoven of Hoven, Matthew Hoven of Seneca, SD, Alan (Cindy) Hoven of Battleground, WA, and Joseph Hoven of Tolstoy, SD; six daughters—Joyce Bussmus of Hot Springs, SD, Beverly (Dan) Thomas of Gettysburg, SD, Suzi Vail of Hoven, Nadine (Dave) Holmoe of Sioux Falls, SD, Mary (Bob) Emgarten of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Mercedes (Rick) Bollinger of Crescent City, CA; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three great, great grandchildren.
In addition to Frank, Viola was preceded in death by her father, Louie, on December 13, 1990; her mother, Susan, on July 22, 1987; her brother, Raphael Huber, on October 2, 2017; and sons-in-law, Charles Vail and Dwight Bussmus.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hoven, with Father Darin Schmidt, Celebrant. Interment follows at the Church Cemetery. Organist, will be Alice Simon and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Choir will sing “One Day at A Time”, “Mother Dearest, Mother Fairest”, “Only A Shadow”, “Song of Farewell”, and “How Great Thou Art”; Lector will be Viola’s daughter, Mary; Placing the Pall will be sons Alan and Matt and daughters Joyce, Bev, Mercedes, and Nadine; offertory gift bearers will be Peggy Hanson and Carrie Lewis; and Mass Server will be Wyatt Huber.
Casketbearers will be Trevor Hageman, Elliot Talks, and Dillion Talks of Hoven; Brad McKown of Boise, ID; Justin Emgarten of Snohomish, WA; and Caleb Hageman of Aberdeen, SD.
Services are in care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.