Cora Hovden

Cora Grace Nichtern was born on December 17, 1908 to John H. and Marguerite Ann (McFarland) Nichtern at Renwick, Iowa. She graduated from Graettinger High School at the age of 16. After graduation she attended Normal Training in Windom, MN which was required to teach in a country school. She married Arthur Hovden on March 15, 1931 and together they lived in rural St. James, MN until 1977 when Arthur retired and they moved to a home in St. James. Following the death of Arthur in 1999, Cora moved to the Laker Apartments in Mt. Lake where she resided until her death. As a lifetime member of the Church of Christ in Madelia, Cora was active for many years on the Ladies' Council. She was known by all for her love for Jesus, which was manifested in her gentle and quiet spirit. She devoted her life to raising her family, investing time and love in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had many hobbies which include gardening, flowers, knitting, baking cookies, reading, making lefse, and playing word games. She remained gracious and mentally vibrant to the end of her life. Cora had many life experiences and saw many changes in the world during her 102 years of life. She recalled the sinking of the Titanic, as well as the Wright Brothers working on their airplane, to name a couple. She continued to be amazed by the new technology available today such as cell phones, computers, and digital photography. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, who died January 1999 and her daughter, Marilyn (Hovden) Schultz who died November 2008; along with her parents; brothers: Marvin, Harvey, Horace, Harry, Vernon and Alvin; sisters: Neva, Vera, Mabel and Rose. She is survived by one child: Robert (Julia) Hovden of Centerville, Ohio and son-in-law James (Elsie) Schultz of Mountain Lake; 5 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson. Blessed be the memory of a life well lived!