General Information
Full Name: John A. Hovanetz, Sr.

Date of Birth: March 7, 1922

Date of Death: December 17, 2013

John’s life story

John A. Hovanetz Sr.

John Alfred Hovanetz, age 91, died peacefully at Friendship Manor Nursing Home Tuesday morning, December 17, 2013. The visitation is Sunday, December 22nd, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. The Celebration of Life Service is Monday, December 23rd at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, Prior Lake. Pastor Chad Gilbertson will preside. John will be laid to rest next to his wife, Betty, at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.

John was born on March 7, 1922 to parents Joseph and Mary (Potichny) Hovanetz in Minneapolis, MN. He was the 10th of 11 children. John’s parents emigrated from Eastern Europe through Ellis Island to raise their family in America. John grew up in Minneapolis. He always had a job to help support the family, and he’d help out around the house gardening, picking apples and tending to chickens. He attended Roosevelt High School and graduated in 1940.

He was a very social man and always had many friends. On October 14, 1944, John married his best friend, Betty Nelson. John loved being waited on, and Betty took great care of him. It was a match made in heaven. Together they raised two children, Barbara and John Jr., in Minneapolis. As a family they enjoyed raising dogs, gardening, going to the lake, and traveling.

One of John’s biggest passions in life was work. He began his career as a meat cutter at Bredesen’s Meat Market in Minneapolis. Later, he went to work for Red Owl. He eventually became the meat manager at the Red Owl in Bloomington and later at the processing plant in Hopkins. He received several commendations for his valuable service throughout the years. John retired in 1984.

John and Betty lived in Edina prior to moving to Lakefront Plaza Condominiums in Prior Lake. John had over 25 years following retirement to spend time with his family and enjoy his favorite past-time, fishing. John spent a lot of time fishing with his son. He even became a mentor to young men from the community and taught them the art of fishing. During the summer months John would fish five days a week. John also loved to travel with his wife. They spent winters in Arizona and made frequent trips to Branson. John always enjoyed woodworking and building birdhouses, keeping a meticulous yard, and eating his favorite dessert, “white on white.”

John eventually moved into Friendship Manor in Shakopee where he received excellent care. Coloring became John’s new hobby, and he loved to share his artwork with his family. On July 15, 2011, John lost his love, Betty. His family and staff at Friendship Manor helped him cope with the loss.

John will always be remembered as a simple man who loved his family. He will be missed by daughter, Barbara (Jerry) Gray of Prior Lake; son, John (Lee) Hovanetz of Brooklyn Park; grandchildren, Rob Gray, Christy (Steve) Sandberg, Cory (Dani) Hovanetz; great-grandchildren, Jenna and Jessica Steele, Alex (Olivia) Gray, Sean and Scott Gray, twins – Ava and Izzy Hovanetz, twins -Emerson and Ashton Hovanetz; 1 great-great grandson; other loving relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Betty; granddaughter, Amy Lou Carney; his parents; and 10 siblings.
The pall bearers for John will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Instead of giving memorials or flowers, John’s final wish is for you and your family to celebrate some extra time together in memory of him. A special thank you is extended to the staff at Friendship Manor Nursing Home for their love, compassion and care of John.

Visitation
When: Sunday, December 22, 2013, 2-4 pm
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372
also one hour prior the service at church

Service Information
When: Monday, December 23, 2013, 11:00 am
Location: Holy Trinity United Methodist Church
16150 Arcadia Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN

Interment
Lakewood Cemetery
Minneapolis, MN

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