James Hovatter

James Jerome Hovatter, 95, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2016, in Chisago City, Minnesota. Jim was born on March 12, 1921, in Cumberland, Maryland. He attended St. Mary's School in Cumberland from 1st through 12th grade. ¬ After graduating high school, he moved to Washington, D.C, working at the Navy Ammunition Yard. Jim was accepted into the Navy V-5 Program in 1943 as an aviation cadet, and was discharged from the Naval Reserve in 1947. Jim met the love of his life, Shirley Erickson, in Washington D.C. The couple married in Brainerd, Minnesota, Shirley's hometown, in 1944. They lived in Washington D.C., Richfield and Roseville, Minnesota, before moving to their home on Forest Lake in 1964. Jim loved the outdoors, whether he was fishing in Port Aransas, Texas, entertaining his family with pontoon rides and picnics on Forest Lake or hunting. Jim started work for the U.S. Postal Service in Washington D.C. He finished his career as a regional budget executive in Minneapolis, retiring at 49 years of age. Jim was Forest Lake Township assessor for 14 years retiring again at 65. Jim was an active member of the American Legion for 69 years recognized as Post #225 Life Member in 2016. Preceded in death by parents, Doctor Ward and Margaret (Kenney) Hovatter; brothers, Joseph Ward, Leo, Robert Ralph, Howard and son, Capt. Patrick Hovatter. Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley Hovatter; his sons, Michael (Diana) Hovatter of Georgetown, Texas, and Thomas Hovatter of Lakeville, Minnesota; his daughter-in-law, Sherrie Hovatter of Rochester, New York; his grandchildren, Justin (Sara) Hovatter, Alicia Matthews, Kelly (Christian) Probst, Ryan (Alexandra) Hovatter, Kyle Hovatter, Nicole Hovatter and Eric Hovatter; and nine great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 4:30 – 7 p.m. Sunday, September 25, at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 26, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Forest Lake, with a graveside service held at 2:05 p.m. at Fort Snelling Cemetery in Minneapolis.



Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Service
Monday, September 26, 2016
cemetery
Monday, September 26, 2016

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