Mary Kathryn (Hovda) Fluehr

Mary Kathryn Hovda Fluehr, 63, passed away July 29, 2016 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born on April 5, 1953, the second daughter of the late Alden and Joanne (Johnson) Hovda in Volga, South Dakota.

Mary graduated from Thomas Roberts High School in 1971 and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1975. She was an art teacher for 12 years in Minnesota and in Florida; and, an IBM sales person for 10 years in Philadelphia. She married James Fluehr in 1993 and was mother to twin daughters, Erika and Kathryn.

Mary's early years were spent in Madison, South Dakota. She lived in Stillwater, Minnesota and for many years in Philadelphia. Most recently she lived in Naples, Florida and Leland, Michigan. She loved to play tennis and was a wonderful artist, painting beautiful landscapes of Leelanau County. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir at the Methodist Church in Leland. Mary loved flowers and gardening; but, she was most happy spending time with her husband and daughters and watching them participate in running events. She took tender care of her 17 year old dog, Abby. We will miss Mary's sweet disposition, her positive attitude, incredible strength, and delightful sense of humor. She saw every day as an opportunity to help make the world a better place and has touched thousands of lives over the last 63 years. Mary lived her life with dignity and was at peace knowing that her faith in Jesus held the promise for her future.

Mary is survived by her husband, Jim, daughters Erika and Kathryn and 6 siblings: Debby (Michael) Olson, Sioux Falls, SD; Richard (Christine) Hovda, Wausau, WI; Craig (Mary Ann) Hovda, Cedar Rapids, IA; David (Jayne) Hovda, St. Paul, MN; Kristin (Peter) Sneed, Leland, MI; and, Joan Hovda (George Stoffan), Oxford, MI; aunt and uncle Mary and Larry Schults, Lincoln, NE; and, Jim and Judy Johnson, Sioux Falls, SD. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 11:00 AM, with visiting one hour prior, at the Leland Community United Methodist Church, 106 N. Fourth Street, Leland, MI, 49654. There will be a private family internment. A visitation with the family present will be held on Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Leland Community United Methodist Church.

There will also be a celebration of her life on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 9:00 - 11:45 A.M. at Hollen Funeral Home (Thomas J. Fluehr, F.D.), 3160 Grant Avenue (West of Academy Road), Philadelphia, PA 19114.  Services at 12:00 Noon.

Memorials may be given to the Old Art Building, 111 S. Main Street, Leland, MI, 49654 or a charity of the donor's choice.

To share condolences with Mary's family, please go to www.hollenfuneralhome.com.

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