Dennis Gene Hoven, age 82, of Garretson, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Garretson. Interment was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Garretson Fire Department or the Garretson American Legion.
Dennis Gene Hoven was born on July 24, 1937, to Elmer and Hilda (Bly) Hoven on a farm south of Garretson, South Dakota. He was baptized at Splitrock Lutheran Church and confirmed at Palisade Lutheran Church. Dennis attended school in Garretson and graduated in 1955. During high school, Dennis worked for Mel Engelbrecht in the Red Owl Store. Following graduation, he was a member of the Luverne National Guard and served for nine years. In later years, he became a member of the Garretson American Legion.
In January 1958, Dennis met the love of his life, Madelyn Fairfield, in the circle 2 step at the Arkota Ballroom in Sioux Falls. They were married on May 27, 1961, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wakonda. This union blessed them with five children: Marcel, Jan, Brad, Mary, and Ann.
Dennis worked for Brendsel Plumbing and Heating before starting his own business, Hoven Electric, in September 1963. He was a member of the Garretson Commercial Club. He served on the Garretson Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years and served as Fire Chief for two terms. In 2015, Dennis became a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Dennis loved his family, community, dancing, country music, hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, old cars, and planting geraniums (his favorite flower).
Dennis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Madelyn; children: Marcel (David) Boscaljon, Jan (Doug) Rinken, Brad (Suzette) Hoven, Mary (Steve) Larson, and Ann (David) Fogel; grandchildren: Chelsea (Tyler) Stills, Alyssa (Forrest) Howe, Nate (Anna) Boscaljon, Cole Boscaljon, Gretchen (Matthew) Bisson, Ben (Jen) Rinken, Jed Rinken, Ian (Sadie) Rinken, Ryan (Chris) Larson, Cody Larson, Addison Fogel, and Eli Fogel; great-grandchildren: Ava, Evelyn, and Beckham Stills; Savannah Howe; Owen and Aiden Bisson; Aubrey, Asher, Remi, and Hayes Rinken; Caleb Westerbur; and Luella and Paisley Larson; sisters: Pauline Ellefson, Shirley Johnson, and Janet Davis; sisters-in-law: Dian Hoven and Rita Fairfield; and a brother-in-law, Perry Ellefson. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Robert and Howard; and sisters: LaVonne Howorth, Darlene Grocott, and Helen Ellefson.
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