Barbara Hoven passed away on August 15 in her home in Helena after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born January 11, 1947 in San Francisco to James and Grace Barry. She married husband Dan Hoven in Santa Clara 1976, and in 1978 moved to Helena where she would live, work, and raise her two sons, Derek and Michael.
Barbara’s humor, vitality, and quiet strength affected all who were part of her life. As a caring and devoted wife and mother, a steadfast friend, and a hardworking educator, her generous and lively spirit never flagged.
Barbara’s love of reading and learning, as well as her natural rapport with children, led her into the field of education in the mid 1980s when she began co-teaching at the Early Movement Pre-School. Within a few years she began working with the Helena School District, where she remained until she retired in 2007. Throughout the years she worked with students from preschool through fifth grade, and her position in the Central School library was an ideal fit. There she had the opportunity to be with the children and share her love of reading. Barbara knew the books well and was able to place just the right book into the hands of each student, one of many skills that made Mrs. Hoven a favorite educator of so many students.
Barbara took great joy in time spent with family and friends, whether at the beaches she learned to love in childhood or on the trails of her adopted Montana. Her modesty and her quick smile were matched by a competitive spirit that challenged many people on the tennis courts and at the card table, and helped her cheer on her sons and husband in all the sports they pursued.
In her final years, Barbara had a great appreciation for the nurses at the Cancer Treatment Center, whose compassion, knowledge, and care were a great comfort.
She was preceded in death by her parents James and Grace Barry; her sister Janet Barry Casolary and nephew Jeffery Casolary; and her sisters-in-law Renee Hoven and Mary Schulze.
She is survived by her husband, Dan of Helena; her sons Derek (Katie) Hoven of Milwaukee, and Michael of Boston; her grandchildren Charlie and Hannah Hoven of Milwaukee; siblings Jim (April) Barry of San Jose, Calif., Catherine Barry of San Francisco, Calif., and Mary (Dave) Swanson of Folsom, Calif.; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gordon and Bette Hoven of Helena, and her brother-in-law Steve Schulze of Kalispell; her nephews Gordon Russell Hoven of Helena, Patrick Hoven of Seattle, Ryan Barry of San Jose, Calif., and Matthew Swanson and William Swanson of Folsom, Calif.; and her nieces Erica Hoven of Seattle and Shawna and Kristen Schulze of Kalispell.
Local arrangements have been made at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, with a vigil service to be held there at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 18. Funeral services are scheduled for 12:00 pm on Thursday, August 19 at the Cathedral of St. Helena. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lewis & Clark Library Foundation, 120 South Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601 or to the Cancer Treatment Center, c/o St. Peter’s Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601.
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Steve Browning says
Barbara Hoven
I am Steve Browning, and I am proud to be able to speak tonight about our dear departed friend, Barbara Hoven.
I was asked by Barb’s family to say a few words from the perspective of her connection with Dan’s law firm, Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven — known by many of you as BKBH,.
Barb was closely connected to BKBH through her husband. Dan you may recall started practicing law with BKBH [actually it was BK at the time] in December 1984.
One of the best ways to explain Barb’s connection to BKBH is by telling you about one of our law firm’s Guiding Principles, which I would like to quote to you:
“At BKBH, we recognize our obligations to our families and to the community in which we live and work.”
We all know that “supporting your family” is a responsibility that was always on the top of Barb’s personal guiding principles. I can’t think of anyone I know who cared more about her family than Barbara Hoven.
It makes me proud to know that our law firm’s devotion to Barb stems in no small way to our recognition of the importance of family to our law firm.
Let me also say that knowing Barb, during her struggle with Cancer these past five years, was illuminating to me in so many ways.
I am sure that everyone here tonight saw, first hand, Barb’s thoroughly positive attitude, her radiant smiles and her enduring courage during that tough period.
Just one example of Barb’s approach to her illness still sticks with me as a guiding principle all of her own. Two years ago, knowing that she had a terminal disease, Barb took a course in a foreign language. She learned conversational Spanish, and she was really getting good at it. Isn’t that amazing? She was approaching the future with a positive attitude.
I will close with a comment that I will always remember when Walter Mondale gave the eulogy for his friend, Hubert Humphrey.
Mondale said: “He taught us how to live and he taught us how to die.”
Barb Hoven taught us the same lessons. Good bye, Barb! We won’t forget you…
Julie (Hail) Steab says
Dan and Family –
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I don’t remember a time when I saw Barb that she didn’t have a smile on her face and a kind word to say. She always made me feel welcome – whether at your home for a Christmas party, or at the ball field for a Babe Ruth tournament. May God keep you close and help you heal during this difficult time.
Pam Tyree says
I was so very sad to learn of Barb’s passing. She had such a great smile and such a quiet sense of humor. She loved going to Arizona so much. When I asked about grand babies she just beamed. My deepest sympathies to all of Barb’s family.
Pam Tyree
Pam, Charles & John Brown says
Dear Hoven Family ~
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. Barbara was such a lovely lady and we enjoyed talking to her at the Rep/Senator Baseball Games.
May God Bless,
Pam, Charlie & John Brown
Dan Vebber says
Derek, I count myself lucky to have been able to experience your mom and her stellar sense of humor in person, even if it was only a few occasions. All of the LA Vebbers are keeping you and your family in our thoughts.
Sheila Wirt says
I am so deeply sorry to hear of your wife’s passing. I did not know her personally but I heard a lot of lovely and positive comments about how wonderful she was with children. My deepest sympathies to all of you.
Henry and Kim Flatow, Kevin Flatow says
Dan and family,
Our hearts go out to you at this time of loss. Barb was a wonderful person. Her smile and cheerful attitude was exceptional. She will be sorely missed by all who loved her.
dave and helen cogley says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May you find peace and comfort in the memory of Barb’s laughter and the good times you shared.
Dallas Stuker says
Dan, Mike, and Derek: Sorry to hear of your loss, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers, hang in there
Dallas
Jennifer Balsley says
Dan, Derek, Michael and families:
With Barb’s passing know that you are all in many thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Barbara Flynn says
Dan,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your sons.
Bill and Barbara Flynn
Suzi Kopec says
My sincere sympathy to your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.