JOHN HOVENKOTTER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND
John Hovenkotter was killed at the age of 55 in an accident that occurred October 3, 2003. In memory of John, his widow, Maureen, established the memorial scholarship fund to honor his many years of commitment and financial support of St. Ignatius School. The fund is supported by direct donations in John’s memory as well as an annual fundraising event. The event, held in the fall close to the date of John’s death, celebrates memories of John and his love of sports and his German heritage, especially sausage, sauerkraut and beer.
John was born on July 4, 1948, in Yakima, Washington. At a young age his family moved to the small farm where he grew up and continued to visit throughout his adult life. It was on one such visit that the tractor his parents had owned for many years and which he was driving at the time rolled down a sleep slope. He died a few hours later from the injuries he sustained.
John and Maureen met while attending Yakima Valley College and married in July, 1970. They had been married for 33 years when John died and had celebrated their 25thanniversary during a Sunday morning Mass at St. Ignatius eight years earlier. John graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Agriculture and worked as a manager for Portland Parks for more than 18 years.
John and Maureen’s two children, Kristin, 29, and Karl, 25, both attended St. Ignatius School from kindergarten through 8thgrade. They were involved in CYO sports and at this writing Karl still holds a cub shot-put record. Kristin later graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and Karl from Jesuit High School. Kristin now lives in Coos Bay with her husband Ryan where she is a substitute teacher and works for the Oregon State Parks Department. Karl is married to Dee, has three step-sons and is expecting his first child and Maureen and John’s first grandchild this summer.
John was a consistent donor to the School Foundation and the school. He served on both the parish administrative council and the school board, was a lector, served on the RENEW core team, coached CYO basketball teams and often could be found on Saturday mornings at Dillon Hall cheering on the teams of younger children after Kristin and Karl graduated. He often volunteered to keep score. John and Maureen were long-time members of the small faith group, Marriage at Bethany, which they joined shortly after joining the parish in 1983. Members of this group made up most of the families who participated in the first St. Ignatius Campout which John and Maureen started with their good friends the late Jeff Yerke and his wife Barb, and Tony and Sharon Nicola in 1986.
He was known for warmly welcoming newcomers to the parish, introducing them and making them feel included in the community. He also enjoyed announcing at coffee and donuts whenever someone was celebrating a birthday or anniversary so all could wish them well. He believed strongly in community. Hence the name for his fundraiser: CommunityFest.
John was born on July 4, 1948, in Yakima, Washington. At a young age his family moved to the small farm where he grew up and continued to visit throughout his adult life. It was on one such visit that the tractor his parents had owned for many years and which he was driving at the time rolled down a sleep slope. He died a few hours later from the injuries he sustained.
John and Maureen met while attending Yakima Valley College and married in July, 1970. They had been married for 33 years when John died and had celebrated their 25thanniversary during a Sunday morning Mass at St. Ignatius eight years earlier. John graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Agriculture and worked as a manager for Portland Parks for more than 18 years.
John and Maureen’s two children, Kristin, 29, and Karl, 25, both attended St. Ignatius School from kindergarten through 8thgrade. They were involved in CYO sports and at this writing Karl still holds a cub shot-put record. Kristin later graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and Karl from Jesuit High School. Kristin now lives in Coos Bay with her husband Ryan where she is a substitute teacher and works for the Oregon State Parks Department. Karl is married to Dee, has three step-sons and is expecting his first child and Maureen and John’s first grandchild this summer.
John was a consistent donor to the School Foundation and the school. He served on both the parish administrative council and the school board, was a lector, served on the RENEW core team, coached CYO basketball teams and often could be found on Saturday mornings at Dillon Hall cheering on the teams of younger children after Kristin and Karl graduated. He often volunteered to keep score. John and Maureen were long-time members of the small faith group, Marriage at Bethany, which they joined shortly after joining the parish in 1983. Members of this group made up most of the families who participated in the first St. Ignatius Campout which John and Maureen started with their good friends the late Jeff Yerke and his wife Barb, and Tony and Sharon Nicola in 1986.
He was known for warmly welcoming newcomers to the parish, introducing them and making them feel included in the community. He also enjoyed announcing at coffee and donuts whenever someone was celebrating a birthday or anniversary so all could wish them well. He believed strongly in community. Hence the name for his fundraiser: CommunityFest.