Gerald Duane Hovis, 91 of Cloquet passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021 in View Crest Health Center in Duluth. He was born December 18, 1929 in Milwaukee, Wisc. to William and Cecelia (Erickson) Hovis. The family moved to Culver and Gerald graduated from Alborn High School. He served in the Army in the Korean War from 1951 until 1953. Gerald married Mary Maslowski on February 19, 1955 in Cloquet. They made their home in Cloquet and together raised seven children. Gerald worked at Wood Conversion and then Conwed until 1986. He then worked various jobs in construction, retiring in 1993.
Gerald was a member of the Cloquet VFW and DAV. He served on the Cloquet Hospital Building Committee and also served as treasurer of the Union when working at Conwed. He enjoyed working at the Labor Temple where he would also call Bingo.
Gerald enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed observing family birthdays. He always had a joke for the grandkids. They were usually bad jokes and became known as “Grandpa Jokes”.
Gerald was preceded in death by his twin daughters, Karen Nelson and Sharon Beckman; and one son, Timothy Hovis.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mary; four sons, Chester (Chi) Lake of Viet Nam, Howard Hovis of Carlton, William Hovis of Washington, and Dexter (Lisa) Hovis of Cloquet; one sister, Bernice Enlund of Culver; 14 grandchildren; and 26 great grandchildren.
Private family services will be held. A public get together will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com
