Fern Hovelsrud

Fern Ann Hansen was born in Russell, MN on April 30, 1914 to James and Damie (Steifel) Hansen. At the age of five, they moved to a farm near Fergus Falls, MN and Fern attended a country school. Fern married Bernt Eggen in 1933. Fern worked for the State Hospital in Fergus Falls for eight years. They later moved to Pine River, MN where Fern accepted a position with the local hospital in Pine River. She also worked for Dr. Whitttenberg, D.C. of Detroit Lakes before moving out west to complete her L.P.N. degree. In 1955, they moved to Denver, CO where Fern worked at the hospital, specializing in the first heart transplant surgery.

On June 6, 1964, Fern married Nilmar Hovelsrud. They resided in Hawley, MN and together opened Hovelsrud Board and Care Home, which cared for the elderly however Fern saw a need to start an AA program through her work at Board and Care Home and later sought the help of her church to assist with the AA program. Fern and Nilmar retired in 1982 and purchased a home on Upper Cormorant Lake and enjoyed their retirement years together.

Fern was a member of the Rebekkah’s and Royal Neighbors both of Hawley. She was also a member of Sons of Norway, Houglum Lutheran Church, past President of Lake Park Senior Citizens and for 55 years was a member of the VFW Auxilary.  Fern loved the outdoors, whether it was hunting with her brothers when they were young or fishing during her later years Fern once caught a 16.5 lb walleye. Fern enjoyed bowling with her friends, tending to her garden during the summer, canning her garden products and cooking. She was always known for her holiday meals and especially her apple pie. She thoroughly enjoyed the time spent volunteering during the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion and her trips to Mexico deep sea fishing.

Fern will be remembered and missed by her children: Betty (David) Lerud of Detroit Lakes, MN, Enola Mattson of Detroit Lakes, Sheila (John) Moberg of Detroit Lakes, Tyrone (Anne) Eggen of Faribault, MN, Randy (Eleanor) Eggen of Fargo, ND and Lucille (Duane) Hennings of Hawley, MN. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grand children, four great great grandchildren and one sister Serena (Howard) Mutch of Washington.

She is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Bernt Eggen, second husband Nilmar Hovelsrud, son-in-law Glenn Mattson, and siblings: Olga Jorgenson, Margaret Miller, James Hansen, Paul Hansen, Inez Lindquist, Edna Wellbrock, Mary Alice Elder, William “Bud” Hansen.