Alice Perkins Hovland

Alice P. Hovland, 96, of Fergus Falls, died Sunday, January 4, 2015, at PioneerCare, Fergus Falls.

Alice Perkins Svendsgaard was born at Wright Hospital, May 10, 1918, to William and Florence (Perkins) Svendsgaard. Alice was supposed to be born at home but due to complications she was delivered by Dr. A.C. Baker and given a slim chance of survival. Alice was the eldest child in the family and was joined by Lily, Warren and Jim. She grew up by Long Lake, north of Fergus Falls, where the family was busy with farming, hunting, fishing and gardening.

She was baptized, confirmed and married from Tonseth Lutheran Church, rural Erhard, which her grandparents helped found, and remained a life member. She grew up in Elizabeth Township were she attended school at District 203, and helped on the farm until going to Fergus Falls for Nursing training at the Fergus Falls State Hospital. She became an LPN in 1943 and was employed at the Fergus Falls State Hospital and Wright Memorial Hospital.

In 1941, she met Melvin Hovland from ND, who was visiting at Long Lake. He left for four years while serving in the military in WW II. Alice continued working at the Hospital until his return. They were married On May 24, 1946, at her aunts home on Long Lake, and they made their home on the farm near Pelican Rapids. She became a farmwife, assisting with field work, chores and yard work for 49 years.

A son, Douglas was born with cerebral palsy in November of 1948, requiring continuous care. After caring for him at home, he passed away in 1951. In 1956, Alice and Mel adopted Connie and Leslie. They attended school in Pelican Rapids. In 1997, the couple moved to Fergus Falls, because of Melvin’s declining health. He died on May 22, 1998. Alice continued to live independently and provided coffee, concern and “advice” to her many friends and family. She remained a proud lifelong member of Tonseth Lutheran Church, participating in the Ladies Aide and volunteering there as long as she could. She had a green thumb with plants and enjoyed gardening and flowers.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; two sons, Douglas and Leslie; two brothers, James and Warren Svendsgaard; and a sister, Lily Wahl.

Survivors include her daughter, Connie Hovland of Fergus Falls along with several nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2015, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm at the funeral home and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2015, at Tonseth Lutheran Church, Erhard
Clergy: Pastor Allen Westby and Chaplain Harry Olson
Interment: Tonseth Cemetery, Erhard
Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls