Gerald A. “Smokey” Hovland of Rushford, Minn., passed away at Green Lea Manor the age of 86. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minn., at a later date.
Jerry was born in Winona, Minn., in 1938, to George and Adelaide (Marker) Hovland. Jerry’s father died in WWII, and his mother remarried Arthur Halvorson. Jerry grew up in Rushford and graduated from Rushford High School. In 1957 he joined the United States Army where he was a cook. After the Army he spent most of his life working in construction. Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid bike rider, and would spend an entire day riding bike trails well into his 80’s. In 1963 he married Betty (Johnson) Bierbaum and they had one daughter. They later divorced.
Jerry is survived by his daughter Geri (Mike) Quesnell, step-daughter Kathy Erdman, brother George (Barb), brother-in-law and close friend Maynard Johnson, many nieces and nephews and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents George and Adelaide, stepfather Art, brother David, sister Marjo, and former wife Betty Bierbaum.
Memorial donations may be made to Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, Minn.: mn.gov/mdva/donate/msvc-preston-cemetery.jsp. Donations can also be mailed directly to the Cemetery at: MN State Veterans Cemetery – Preston, 715 Hwy 52, Preston, Minn. 55965
Donations may also be made to a charity of your choice, or please plant a tree in Jerry’s memory. Hoff Funeral Home – Rushford is assisting the family. To leave an online condolence or to plant a tree in his memory please visit www.hofffuneral.com.