Emma Lou Hovde 02/21/2011

Emma Lou Hovde age 91 of River Falls died Monday, February 21, 2011 at Mercy Gilbert Hospital in Gilbert, AZ.  She was born the daughter of Mandas and Emma (Christenson) Halverson on September 28, 1919 in River Falls.  On November 5, 1936, she married H.C. Connie Hovde in Bayport, MN.  In 1947, Connie and Emma Lou purchased Anderson Hardware in Ellsworth and soon thereafter changed the name to Hovde Hardware.  The couple sold the store in 1962.  They enjoyed traveling with their Air Stream camper, boating on the St. Croix River, classic and antique cars.  Emma Lou enjoyed music, in  her younger years she played the accordian, and later in life she played the organ. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star in Ellsworth for 50 plus years.  Most recently she lived at Well Haven in River Falls and continued to spend winters in Sun Lakes, AZ.  She enjoyed cooking and being a hostess to many friends and relatives.  Emma Lou loved Christmas’ and the families many Scandinavian traditions.  She is survived by her daughter, Patty (Neil) Christenson of Amery, WI; son, Phil (Cheryl) Hovde of Sun Lakes, AZ; grandchildren, Gar (Lou) Christenson, Greg (Ann) Christenson, Mark (Jane) Christenson, Sean Egginton, Ryan (Erin) Egginton; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Griffin, Lindsey, Dylan, Jack, Sam and Ben, Christian, Hunter, Quentin and Kai; brother, Bud (Audrey) Halverson of River Falls, WI; many nieces, nephews and friends.  Emma Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Mandas and Emma Halverson; husband, H.C. Connie Hovde; infant son, Richard Hovde; sisters, Ruscilla Johnson and Delores Stewart.  A funeral service was held Monday, February 28, 2011 at 11:00 am at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls.  Visitation was Sunday, February 27, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral Home in River Falls with The Order of the Eastern Star service at 4 pm and also on Monday from 9:30-11:00 am before the service at church.  Interment was in Maple Grove Cemetery in Ellsworth.  Arrangements were with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.