Michael Hovey

Michael Anthony Hovey, 67, Bismarck and rural Fessenden, died November 21, 2016, surrounded by family and friends after a 13-year battle with pancreatic cancer, at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Friday, November 25, at Church of the Ascension, 1825 S 3rd St., Bismarck, with Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Family will be greeting visitors from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday, November 23, at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E. Divide Ave., Bismarck, where a vigil service will begin at 6:00 pm. Mike was born March 24, 1949, in Minot, ND, to Orval and Solvig (Rue) Hovey. He was raised in Parshall and New Town and graduated from New Town High School. He later graduated from Minot State University, majoring in English. Mike married Rose-Anne Corey on November 24, 1972, in Rapid City, SD. They lived in rural Parshall, where Mike worked as a teacher and basketball coach, including acting as the assistant coach for the 1975 state championship team. The couple moved to rural Fessenden in 1975 and he farmed with his father and brother. Mike and Rose-Anne moved to Bismarck in 1984, where they raised five children. Mike continued to farm and worked as a substitute teacher. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer in 2003. Mike was an enthusiastic participant in several clinical trials and became active in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, working to raise awareness and raise funds. Mike is survived by his wife of 44 years, Rose-Anne; his daughters, Sharon (William Broderick), Naperville, IL, and Kristen, Big Sky, MT; his sons, Kevin (Kelby), Bismarck, Erik, Bismarck, and Marcus (Heather), Hillsboro; 11 grandchildren; his brother, Stephen (Melissa), Center; and nieces, Catherine (Josh) Kolden, Center, and Rebecca, Enumclaw, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orval and Solvig; and his brother, James. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.