Mary Kathryn Fluehr

Mary Kathryn Hovda Fluehr , 63, passed away July 29, 2016 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born on April 5, 1953 the second daughter of the late Alden and Joanne (Johnson) Hovda in Volga, South Dakota.

Mary graduated from Thomas Roberts High School 1971 and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1975. She was an art teacher for 12 years in Minnesota and in Florida and an IBM sales person for 10 years in Philadelphia. She married James Fluehr in 1993 and was mother to twin daughters Erika and Kathryn.

Mary's early years were spent in Madison, South Dakota, she lived in Stillwater, Minnesota and for many years in Philadelphia, but most recently lived in Naples, Florida and Leland, Michigan. She loved to play tennis and was a wonderful artist, painting beautiful landscapes of Leelanau County. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir at the Methodist Church in Leland. Mary loved flowers and gardening but she was most happy spending time with her husband and daughters and watching them participate in running events. She took tender care of her 17 year old dog, Abby. We will miss Mary's sweet disposition, her positive attitude, incredible strength, and delightful sense of humor. She saw every day as an opportunity to help make the world a better place, and has touched thousands of lives over the last 63 years. Mary lived her life with dignity and was at peace knowing that her faith in Jesus held the promise for her future.

Mary is survived by her husband Jim, daughters Erika and Kathryn and 6 siblings, Debby (Michael) Olson, Sioux Falls, SD, Richard (Christine) Hovda, Wausau, WI, Craig (Mary Ann) Hovda, Cedar Rapids, IA, David (Jayne) Hovda, St. Paul, MN, Kristin (Peter) Sneed, Leland, MI and Joan Hovda (George Stoffan), Oxford, MI, aunt and uncle Mary and Larry Schultz Lincoln NE and Jim and Judy Johnson Sioux Falls, SD, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 11 am, with visiting one hour prior, at the Leland Community United Methodist Church, 106 N. Fourth St, Leland, MI 49654, with a private family internment. There will be a visitation with the family present on Thursday, August 4, 2016 from 5-7 at the Leland Community United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be given to the Old Art Building in Leland 111 S. main St., Leland, Michigan, 49654.

You may share your thoughts and memoires of Mary with her family by the way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff Funeral home and Cremation Service.