Dudley Hovland

Dudley Verdell Hovland was born on October 26, 1926, in Eidsvold Township, Minneota, to Louis and Sarah (Severson) Hovland. He was baptized on the day of his birth, then received a confirmed baptism on February 24, 1927 at church, and was confirmed on May 12, 1940, at Hope Lutheran Church. Dudley attended country grade school and graduated from Minneota High School in 1944. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 15, 1948 for three years. After basic training in San Antonio, TX, he was stationed at Wichita Falls, TX where he attended Aircraft and Engineer School. He was next stationed at Tripoli, Libya, North Africa as a aircraft mechanic. He was a flight engineer on C54 aircraft and flew overseas to Greece, Germany, Egypt, Saudia Arabia on the Persian Gulf, Italy, France, Cyprus and Morocco. Staff Sargent Dudley Hovland married Marie Ann Green on October 28, 1951 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, MN. Dudley's duty was extended, due to the Korean War, by one extra year. He was stationed next at Springfield, MA, sometimes flying up to Newfoundland and the Azores Islands as he continued to serve as a flight engineer. Dudley was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on September 22, 1952. After working for the Middleton Furniture Store for a year, Dudley and Marie began what would become a nearly 40 year career in farming north of Minneota, MN. In 1998, the couple retired from farming and moved to Marshall. Dudley was a lifetime member of Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. He was the Charter President of the Silver Spur Saddle Club and belonged to the U.S. American Legion Post 199 of Minneota. Dudley was pallbearer for 28 times. Dudley and Marie enjoyed travelling to many different destinations including Europe and Scandinavia as well as throughout the US. Dudley was an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, and experiencing Hostfest. He was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather. Dudley died on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at his residence in Marshall after a brief illness. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marie, of Marshall, daughter Becky (and Brent) Larson of Phoenix, AZ, grandsons Adam of Gilbert, AZ, and Brennan of Flagstaff, AZ, siblings Milo “Bud” Hovland of Canby, Lila (and Bob) Smith of Shelton, WA, Arlene Tollefson of Montevideo, Darrell (and Audrey) Hovland of Alexandria, sister-in-law Jan Hovland of Montevideo, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sallie (and Fred) Tessmer, and Verna Hovland, brothers Lester (and Gunhild), Norman (and Edythe), Alvin “Ollie” (and Edna), Donovan, and Earl in infancy, brothers-in-law Luther “Lu” Spalding and Lester Tollefson, and sister-in-law Virginia “Virgie” Hovland.