Iris M. Hovelson

Iris Magdalene Garland-Hovelson, age 81, a long-time resident of Canyon Lake Texas, left the arms of her loving family to the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 5th, 2015 peacefully at her home.

Iris was born on January 4th, 1934 in Avoca, MN to Edward and Magdalene Garland and baptized into the Catholic faith. She grew up in Mahnomen, MN and graduated from Mahnomen High School in 1952.

After High School, Iris worked at Douglas Aircraft in Inglewood, CA and then returned back to Minnesota where she met her loving husband Russell C Hovelson.

Iris was united in marriage to Russell (Russ) on October 23rd, 1954 and they began a military career in 1956 which took them around the world.

She was a loving full-time mother to Gary, Rebecca and Douglas before returning to work in 1972 where she ventured into a career with the Northside Independent School District and eventually Comal Independent School District.

In 1979, Russ and Iris went into business forming Canyon Lake Pest Control until 1993 in which they sold the business and went full-time RVing as Ambassadors for Camping World.

As a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Iris was active with the Ladies of Knights of Columbus and a life-time member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 8573 of Sattler, TX. In addition, she volunteered her time to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.

Iris's hobbies included gardening, arts & crafts and an avid doll collector. She enjoyed traveling in her retirement. Most of all, Iris enjoyed spending time with her family and planning Holiday events and Summer BBQs.

She is survived by her husband, Russ Hovelson; daughter, Becky Bodenhamer and husband Dan (Cameron Park, CA); son, Doug Hovelson and partner Eric Wilbur (San Antonio, TX); sister, Elaine Swiers (Bejou, MN) ; brothers, Kenneth Garland (Phoenix, AZ) and Gerald Garland and wife Bonnie (Hamm Lake, MN); ten grandchildren: Jennifer Albrecht-Hovelson and Cody Malek, Eric Hovelson and wife Amy, Brandon Bodenhamer, Scott Bodenhamer and wife Stephanie, Emily Hovelson and Darryl Schmidt, Robert Bodenhamer, Melody Hovelson, Katie Hovelson-Fuentes and husband Oliver, Steven Bodenhamer and Kyle Hovelson; eight great-grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.

Iris was preceded in death by her son, Gary Hovelson; parents, Edward and Magdalene Garland; brothers, Donald Garland and Edward Garland.

Public Visitation will begin 5:00 PM Wednesday at Zoeller Funeral Home with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 AM Thursday, November 12, 2015 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at Canyon Lake with interment to follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Eric Hovelson, Brandon Bodenhamer, Scott Bodenhamer, Robert Bodenhamer, Steven Bodenhamer, Kyle Hovelson and Oliver Fuentes. Honorary Pallbearers: The Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of Hope Hospice of New Braunfels and much love to Cliff Hall, Mary Fryer, Sharon Miley and Jerry and Bonnie Heath. Arrangements under the direction of Zoeller Funeral Home, New Braunfels, TX.