Gladys Faye Hovinga

Gladys Faye Hovinga, 95, of Owatonna, MN, died Thursday, December 28, 2012, at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna. Gladys was born on February 4, 1917, to Chris and Christina Johnson of Clay County, IA. She was the youngest of five children and was predeceased by all of her siblings. Gladys attended schools in Clay County and graduated from Spencer High School in 1934. Later in life she attended Rio Salado College in Surprise, AZ. She married Russell Hovinga of Webb, IA, on October 3, 1934. Gladys and Russell farmed south of Webb until 1947 when they purchased a farm in Jackson County, MN. In 1978, they moved to Windom, MN, and resided there until 1983 when they retired to Sun City, AZ. Gladys made her home in Arizona until April of this year when she chose to move to Owatonna, MN to be near family. Gladys retired in 1982 after 30 years of service as an accounting officer in the Jackson County Welfare Department. Gladys' greatest love and lifetime investment was in her family. She enjoyed baking and sewing and treasured awards she earned in both of these pursuits. Together, Gladys and Russell enjoyed flying as a hobby, and in 1954, Gladys completed ground school and flight training and earned her private pilot's license. In 1971, The Minnesota Flying Farmers selected her as 'Minnesota Flying Farmer Queen,' and in 1974, they named her 'Woman of the Year.' Gladys is survived by her three children: Carol (Jerome) Zetah of Owatonna, MN, Letha (Donald) Phelan of Coeur d Alene, ID, and Leo (Jurene) Hovinga of Glenwood, UT, as well as seven grandchildren: Douglas (Jane) Kading of Cold Spring, MN, Camille (Patrick) Weas of Plymouth, MN, Krista (Lance) Tidwell of Granby, CT, Thor Phelan of Boise, ID, Nazrin Riebhoff of Coeur d Alene, Idaho, Bradley (Stacy) Hovinga of Lander, WY and Wade (Jennifer) Hovinga of Glenwood, UT, as well as 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Her husband, Russell, died in 1990.

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