Harold Hovorka Obituary

Harold John Hovorka

April 4, 1928 - June 29, 2025

Harold "Hal" John Hovorka, 97, passed away on June 29, 2025, at Rosewood Memory Care in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Hal was born on April 4, 1928, at the family farmhouse in Adams, Wisconsin. He was the second of three children born to John and Eleanor (Moshure) Hovorka. Raised in Adams, Hal graduated from Adams-Friendship High School with the class of 1946. From a young age, he worked on the family farm. After high school, he attended Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, completing a two-year curriculum. He then returned to Adams and worked on the construction of the Castle Rock Dam, which later flooded his family's farm, creating Castle Rock Lake. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in construction. In the fall of 1948, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, earning a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951.

Drafted by the United States Army in 1951, Hal served from 1952 to 1954, often joking that being drafted was the only time he ever "won" anything.

Hal first met Carol Noyes at the same country school they both attended when they were young. Hal always said he fell in love with Carol when she was in third grade, but her family later moved from the area. Their paths crossed again while he was attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and they rekindled their connection. They were married on July 31, 1949, and later were sealed for time and all eternity in a sacred marriage ceremony in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together, they had three children: David, Lisa, and Timothy. Carol passed away in 2004.

Hal later met Barbara Jones through family friends, and after a brief courtship, they married on May 20, 2004. They made their home in Portland, Oregon.

Hal enjoyed waterskiing, piloting, and sharing his musical talents by singing or playing the harmonica and concertina. He was actively involved in ham radio groups and was a passionate genealogist, dedicated to uncovering the stories of his ancestors and families worldwide. Known for his quick wit and dry humor, Hal was a people person who loved engaging in conversation. A devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served faithfully in various roles, including missionary, bishop, high council, patriarch and he held the office of a Seventy in his quorum.

Hal was reunited in death with his parents, John and Eleanor; his first wife, Carol; his son, David; his siblings, John and Edna; and many other family members and friends.

He is survived by: His wife, Barbara; daughter-in-law, Cynthia of Wisconsin, and grandchildren David Jon II (Annie) Hovorka, Milana Hovorka, Merik (Megan) Hovorka, Brendan (Mai) Hovorka, and Ian Hovorka; Daughter, Lisa (Thomas) Torkelson of Wisconsin, and their children Kristy (Daniel) Blakley, Scott Torkelson, Thomas Torkelson, Kyla (Justin) McComas, Jody (Nick) Haefs, and Dustin (Morgan) Torkelson; Son, Timothy (Angie) Hovorka of Wisconsin, and their children Markus Brunner and Hailey Hovorka. and 21 great -grandchildren, he is further survived by three step children; Christie (Hanz) Claus of ID, Sally (Ken) Hollenzer of OR, Murray (Pam) Westenskow of OR. and 14 step grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 4505 Regent Street, Madison, WI.

Internment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Wisconsin.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Ken and Sally Hollenzer for always being there for Hal especially the care they gave to him in his final days.

"In my father's House are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:3.

"We find solace in the assurance that we will one day be reunited in God's eternal kingdom".