Edwina “Connie” Louise Hovenga, 87

Edwina “Connie” Louise Hovenga, age 87, of Shell Rock, Iowa, was born the daughter of Wayne and Alice (Ackerson) Bolton on September 3, 1935, in New Hartford, Iowa. At a young age her parents passed away and she was then raised by her grandparents, Clyde and Maude Bolton. She received her education at New Hartford High School. 

Connie married Homer Parker and the couple later divorced. On December 24, 1958, Connie was united in marriage with Dale Hovenga at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Clarksville, Iowa. Over the years the couple lived in Clarksville, Aplington, and Allison and later made their home in Clarksville. During this time Connie was a homemaker to her six children, a housekeeper at the Red Fox Inn, cleaned at Doc’s Tap, and detasseled with Dale at O’s Gold in Aplington. The couple later divorced. 

Connie attended the Methodist church in Shell Rock. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending to her garden and flowers, listening to country music and country gospel, cleaning, dancing, and cooking. A family favorite was her fried chicken and homemade gravy. Connie could always be seen joking around. She loved spending time with her family and especially the time spent with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. 

  On Saturday, April 8, 2023, Connie passed away at her home in Shell Rock, of natural causes. She is preceded in death by her husband Dale Hovenga (January 15, 2023); her parents; four daughters, Geraldine Parker, and Debbie, Patty, and Tammy Hovenga; and two brothers, Ed and Jerry Wayne Bolton.

Connie is survived by six children, Mary (Joe) Gordon of Palm Cost, Florida, Anna (Nort) Epley of Shell Rock, Iowa, David (Barb) Parker of Newell, Iowa, Alan Hovenga of Plainfield, Iowa, Jerry Hovenga of Clarksville, Iowa, and Terry Hovenga of Shell Rock, Iowa; 15 grandchildren and several great and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Mary Bolton-Starr of Washington; two sisters-in-law, Ruth Hinders of Clarksville, Iowa and Judy Luhring of Aplington, Iowa.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Redman Funeral & Cremation Services – Clarksville Funeral Home in Clarksville.  Pastor Bill Saak of Cedar Valley Hospice will officiate the service.  Special music, “In The Garden”, “Amazing Grace” “Old Rugged Cross” and “Go Rest High on That Mountain” will be played.  

Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.redmanfuneral.com