John Kovar

John Joseph Kovar, age 66, of Longville, MN died Sunday, February 14, 2010 at Whispering Pines in Pine River, MN.

A Funeral Mass will be held, 11:00 AM, Saturday, February 20, 2010 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Longville, MN with Father Joseph Sirba officiating. There will be a visitation time an hour before the funeral and a lunch following in the parish hall.
John Joseph Kovar was born on June 27, 1943 in Minneapolis, MN. John graduated from Benilde High School in 1961. He attended and graduated from Bemidji State University in 1966 with a degree in secondary education. He taught in Williams, MN for two years teaching history and social studies. John enlisted in the US Army in 1970. He was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA where he served 4 years in the Military Police. He married Kathy Peterson on April 4, 1970. After John served 4 years in the Military Police, he resumed his teaching career as a social studies and history teacher in Swanville, MN where he retired after a teaching career of 29 years. In 2004, John and Kathy sold their home in Little Falls and moved to Longville, MN.

John had many lifelong interests revolving around his immediate and extended family including hunting and fishing especially in the Blackduck and Bemidji area as well as involvement in the Boy Scouts. He was an avid vegetable gardener, loved outdoor projects and enjoyed golf. He participated in Take A Kid Fishing, as a Governors Opener Guide and many fishing contests in northern Minnesota. Since moving to Longville, MN, he was involved in the Leach Lake Area Watershed Foundation.

John is survived by his mother, Rita M. Kovar of Anoka, MN, his wife of 39 years, Kathy of Longville: one son John K. (Katie) Kovar of St. Paul; brothers Patrick (Marie) of Blackduck, Peter (Jean) and Dan (Jill) of Anoka; sister Margaret (Richard) Stern of San Diego; and aunt Marian Granfield of Anoka. In addition, he is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Jack Kovar.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the "John J. Kovar Memorial" which will be donated to organizations that John was passionate about.