Karon Hovey

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 3:55 pm

Karon Elizabeth Hovey, age 81, of Ridgeway, passed away Aug. 6, 2023 at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.
Karon and her twin sister Sharon were born at the Cresco hospital on Jan. 27, 1942
to Robert and Dorothy (Kintz) Baker. She attended grade school at Madison #5 and high
school in Decorah, graduating in 1960. In 1960, Karon met Ron Hovey through their
work with 4-H. They enjoyed dancing and going on trail rides together while dating.
They were united in marriage on June 17, 1962. Together they had four children.
Karon raised her family while working alongside Ron on the farm. Karon enjoyed life on
the farm, especially caring for her sheep, chickens and cats. Karon was a Master
Gardener and planted a variety of lilies. She also cared for a large vegetable garden and
canned delicious spaghetti sauce and jelly.

Karon was an excellent cook and baker and
was known for her lefse, kolaches and angel food cake. She donated many baked goods
to the Orleans Church Bazaar. Karon taught Sunday school, volunteered on the church
council, the Winneshiek County 4-H board, and was an active member of the
Winneshiek County Sheep Producers and Winneshiek County Cattlemen’s Association.
Karon worked at Luther College for the Vice President of Development for two years
after high school. After raising her family, she cleaned at the Cresco Country Club and
worked at the Foley Chiropractic Clinic for over 20 years.
Karon will be remembered for her kind and giving heart and strong work ethic. She
enjoyed spending time with her family and was quick to help a friend or neighbor.
Monthly birthday gatherings with her children and grandchildren were a long-standing
tradition, and they always included her freshly made angel food cake, decorated with
fresh flowers from her garden.
Karon is survived by her children Melissa Foley of Cresco, Jeff Hovey of Norwalk,
Pam Perry of Mount Vernon, and Greg Hovey of Decorah; seven grandchildren:
Morgan (Michael) Stevenson, Hunter Foley, Ryan Hovey, Justin Hovey, Marit Hovey,
Zachary Perry and Anika Perry, one great-grandson William Stevenson and her sister-inlaw Mazie Huckins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Hovey; her parents Robert and
Dorothy Baker; her sister Sharon (Jim) Moen; brother-in-law Jim Huckins; and daughter-in-law Brenda Hovey.
The family of Karon would like to thank the staff at Evans Memorial Home and Howard
County Hospice, especially nurse Megan, for all of their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Howard County Hospice or Orleans
Lutheran Church.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 10, 2023 at the Orleans Lutheran
Church in rural Ridgeway. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church
on Thursday morning. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. Lindstrom Funeral
Home is assisting the family with arrangements.