Helen Hoveland, 96, of Kanawha, passed away Friday, June 23, in the loving care
of nursing staff at the Kanawha Community Home.
She was cremated, with a celebration of life get-together planned for the Labor
Day weekend.
Helen Lorraine was born near Hardy, Iowa on October 27, 1926 to Nels and Pearl
Jensen. Helen lost her mother at age three weeks old, and was raised by her
maternal grandparents Will and Nina Anderson of Renwick. She attended school
there through her senior year, marrying Orville Hoveland in 1945.
They lived in and around Kanawha for most of their lives, raising four children:
three sons Robert (Linda) of Miller, Gary (Jean) and Dwight (Smiley) of Kanawha,
and daughter Jeannie (Steven Cornelius) of Topeka, Kansas.
For a time Helen worked in the local hardware, and then 15 years as a cook at
the Kanawha Community Home. Most of her life was spent caring for her family,
helping on the farm, and serving friends and community. She was a long-time
member of the Kanawha United Methodist Church and active with her quilting
circle. Helen was happy in the kitchen, although confessed that she really
didn't like to cook, she just loved to see people eat. She was most at peace
sitting at the piano, hammering out an old tune or hymn, in that unique style
that was hers alone.
Helen is survived by one son Robert and daughter Jeannie, eleven grandchildren,
sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She was preceded
in death by her husband Orville, sons Gary and Smiley, and many other family
members and friends.