Mary Jane Fitch was born August 13, 1919 in Milesville, SD the daughter of Harvey and Mary (Bodkin) Fitch the second of five children, Ed, Mary Jane, Dorothy, Bud and Ella. She grew up on the Fitch farm near Milesville and received her education in that area. As a young lady she and her sister, Dorothy, worked for a teacher at Cherry Creek on the Reservation.

She met her future husband, Anton Hovland, while working for the Nobles at Nowlin, South Dakota. They were married on December 20, 1939 in Nowlin. They resided with Grandma Hovland for several years during which time they had two children, Sadie Rae and Gary.

In 1944 they moved to Omaha, Nebraska where they resided until moving to the Hudson Flat near Milesville in 1945. While on the ranch a son Doug was born. They farmed and ranched on the Hudson Flat until 1965 when they moved to Rapid City. While in Rapid City they owned and operated a laundromat and dry cleaners for several years. After her husband's death on April 4th 1981, she continued to reside in Rapid City

Mary Jane was an avid gardener and also raised beautiful flowers. She was known for her mall walking, which she did daily and made many friends.

She was a former member of the Peace Lutheran Church of Rapid City and joined Our Redeemer Lutheran Church when she moved to Philip in 2004, even though she was unable to attend.

Grateful for having shared her life are her daughter Sadie Rae Singleton of Philip and her special friend Michael Daly; a son Doug Hovland of Cottonwood; four grandchildren, Ryan Hovland, Blaine and Gary Wood and Tawnya Wilson; three great-grandchildren, Rayde, Dylan and Reese Wilson; a brother Ed Fitch of Philip; two sisters Dorothy Nesberg of Madison, Wisconsin and Ella Hart of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband Anton, she was preceded in death by a son Gary; her parents; and a brother Bud Fitch.

Memorial services were held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Robert Oettel officiating.

Inurnment followed at the Nowlin Cemetery, Nowlin, South Dakota.

A memorial is established to fund Alzheimer's research.

Memorial Services
Wednesday, July 26, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota

Clergy
Pastor Robert Oettel

Ushers
Alvin Pearson – Miles Hovland

Music
Marianne Frein-Organist
Maureen Palecek-Vocalist
"On Eagle’s Wings"
"You Are Mine"
"Here I Am Lord"

Honorary Pallbearers
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Interment
Nowlin Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota