Helen Marie Hove

Helen was born on March 30, 1914, near Bloom, SD, the second daughter of F. Franklin and Helen Marie (Janzow) Ottow.Helen attended country grade school within walking distance of her parents? home twelve miles south of Reeder, ND. She later attended Reeder High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1934. She enjoyed immensely helping her mother and father on the farm, not only helping with housework but also learning to milk the cows and driving the team of horses in the fields. She had one sister, Esther C. (Ottow) Bliss and no brothers.After high school, Helen moved to Minneapolis, where she attended the Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI). During her non-school times she did housework and served as a governess for a family in the cities. She also worked at Fairview and Asbury Hospitals in the dietary kitchens.While attending LBI, Helen met her future husband, Carroll T. Hove. Dad fondly remembers that upon seeing Helen for the first time he thought, ?That?s my girl.? From that period of time in February 19135 they remained close friends until 1937 when they realized that they were meant to be together for life.Soon after this Carroll traveled with Helen to meet her parents, asking for her hand in marriage. Carroll and Helen Marie were married September 15, 1938 at a country church near Reeder, ND and moved to the southern Minnesota/Northern Iowa area where they farmed for many years until 1966.Helen enjoyed her gardens, full of beautiful flowers and bountiful vegetables which she canned each late summer and fall. She also was the perfect hostess serving her wonderful meals.She also served as Camp Counselor for Bible Camps at Lake Geneva Bible Camp, Alexandria, Minnesota and Inspiration Point Bible Camp, Clitherall, Minnesota. Additionally she accompanied a Men?s Quartet under the direction of Ruth Nodland. Quartet members included her husband, Carroll Hove, Peter Alne, Iver Oakland and Thel Nodland.Helen was an active member of each church that she and Carroll belonged to and served in various capacities as Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Organist and Pianist for Liberty Lutheran Church, Rake, Iowa and at Ebenezer Lutheran Brethren Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Community of Joy Lutheran Church, Eagan, Minnesota after their move to the Twin Cities area in 1966.Helen was also a talented artist and writer. She dutifully wrote weekly letters to her children, painted many wonderful oil and acrylic paintings mostly of the landscape genre and compiled a book containing over thirty of her poems. Her poetry subject matter centered on her relationship with God, her family and nature. Helen was a member of Little House Art Guild, Lakeville, Minnesota and enjoyed her regular get-togethers with other painters. She also won numerous ribbons for her artwork at county fairs and has a painting in the art collection at Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota where her youngest son, Jon, attended from 1973 ? 1976. In her later years, Helen remained active in church, with family, and also worked in private homes in the Apple Valley & Burnsville, Minnesota area. She maintained her enthusiasm for music and at every Christmas gathering would lead the family in singing many religious carols and songs. One of her favorite hymns was Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine and a favorite Bible verse was Lamentations 3:22 & 23 ?The Lord?s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.? Helen spent seven years caring for her daughter, Anola Faith Hove, who eventually died of Rheumatic Fever.Helen was a loving wife and dedicated mother to her family and was an endless giver of her time and talents to all those around her. She is preceded in death by her parents F. Franklin and Helen Ottow, Sister, Esther C. Bliss, daughter, Anola Faith Hove, Brothers-in-law, Andy Hove, Irvin Bliss, Oscar Noss and a sister-in-law Martha Noss. She is survived by her loving family, husband Carroll T. Hove of Blue Earth, daughter, Carolynn M. (& husband Earl) (Hove) White of Mankato, daughter, Ellen Mae (& husband Francis) (Hove) Monseth of Rogers, son, Eugene L ( & wife Edie) Hove of Maple Grove, and son, Jon Hove of Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, brother-in-law, Lou (& wife Ruby) Hove of Mankato, sisters-in-law, Lorene (& husband Daird) Dray of Elmore & Mae Hove of Blue Earth and many nieces and nephews.