The funeral service for Albert Harry Hovda will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2012 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul E. Nelson officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Rochester with military rights provided by the American Legion Post 92.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16, 2012 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service on Friday.

Albert Harry Hovda, 63, of Rochester died Tuesday, February 14, 2012 in Duluth MN.

Al, as he was known to his family and friends, was born September 21, 1948 in the Township of Pleasant Grove MN.  He grew up in Marion MN and later moved to Rochester  where he met and married  Mary Margotta in 1969. Al was a loving and devoted husband and father . Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting morel mushrooms, digging up ginseng, hunting and especially fishing. He loved sharing his love of the outdoors with his family and friends, especially his grandkids.

Al was a Veteran of the Vietnam War and had worked for Dallas Truck Center in Rochester as well as a member of the Carpet Layers Union.  He and his wife were also the owners of "The Bait Box" in Rochester for many years.

He is survived by his wife Mary Hovda (Margotta), two daughters, Melissa (Britt )Hovda-Anderson ,Karen (Jerome)Krampitz.  Six Grandchildren, Cady (Jon) Anderson, Corissa (Mike) Anderson, Alyssa Krampitz, Colin Krampitz, Christianna Anderson, and Riley Krampitz. One Great-Grandchild, Dakotah Anderson, all of Rochester. Two Brothers, Ronald Hovda of Marion, and Robert (Jeanie) Hovda of Wabasha.

He was preceded in death by his son, Richard Hovda; mother, Luella Thompson; grandson, Matthew, his niece Selina Hovda, and his uncle Gib.