Mildred Ruth Hovel

Funeral services for Mildred R. Hovel, 99, of Rochester, MN will be at 1:00pm on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Destiny Church (3240 40th Ave NW) in Rochester.Visitation will be Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00pm and also one hour prior to the service at the church.Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens. Mildred Ruth Mulholland was born on October 12, 1915 in Wabasha County, to George and Minnie (Poole) Mulholland.She was a long time resident of Rochester for over 70 years.She passed away on April 24, 2015 at her granddaughter's home in Dover, MN. Mildred attended the Red Bridge School in Wabasha County.She married Harold Hovel on November 14, 1934 at the Woodville Chapel Parsonage in rural Mazeppa where she was raised.While Mildred only had one son, many considered her their mother and many more considered her their grandmother.Mildred had unconditional love and hospitality.Mildred's home was always open and many have stayed with her and Harold over the years. Mildred worked as a nanny for several years for different doctor's families.Mildred and Harold were an active part of their extended families lives including nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.She referred to her name meaning of Mildred as Mild Counselor and every day she experienced the love of her savior and lived out her mission of bestowing the love to others through her smile, a touch of her hand, prayer, conversation and with a sweet treat and a cup of coffee.She loved nature.She enjoyed picnics and camping. Harold was a construction foreman so they had to take their vacation in late fall/winter.That did not stop Mildred from packing up the car with her grandchildren and driving up north.Cass Lake was a favorite destination as was the North Shore and Itasca.This was true camping, including sleeping in a canvas tent and cooking over a Coleman stove.She loved to entertain, such as having guests over for dinner and hosting small bible studies in her home.Mildred lived with Judy, her granddaughter, in Dover for the past two years. Survivors include her nine grandchildren; Robert(Carman) Irelan of Rochester, MN,Jane (James) Ryan of West Palm Beach, FL, Linda (Margarito) Lopez of Mantorville, MN, Judy Teed of Dover, MN,James Klassen of Summerfield, FL,Jeffrey (Kim) Klassen of Kasson, MN,Jeffrey Hovel of Richfield, MN,Bonnie (Terry) Haukom of Inver Grove Heights, MN,and Timothy (Sara) Hovel of Oronoco, MN; twenty-threegreat grandchildren; Trinity, Crystal, Angel, Andrew, Anthony, Aaron, Lara, Benjamin, Jason, Jesse, Abigale, Luke, Noah, Andy, Cory, Jennifer, James Jr., Jenessa, Branden, Arly, Katrina, Josh & Abram and their spouses; twenty-six great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great granddaughter. Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, son, Dale Hovel, grandson, Benjamin Hovel, great granddaughter, Amy Klassen, brothers, Lee, Claude and Donald Mulholland and sisters, Maude Rienow, Hazel Mulholland and Lulu and Gladys in infancy.