Valdemar Olaf Hovde , 97, Minot and longtime owner and operator of Hovde Salvage died Thursday, November 30, 2006, in a Minot nursing home.

Valdemar was born January 13, 1909, in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, to Kolbein and Henrietta (Alfsen) Hovde. He was raised and educated there before his family moved to the Rising, ND area in 1914, where he attended rural schools. He attended correspondence school and as a young adult was employed in the area.

Valdemar married Leonore Jonason on June 23, 1933, in Norwich, ND. They made their home on a farm in Kottke Valley Township where they raised cattle and small grains. They moved to Minot in the mid 1950's, where he established and operated Hovde Wrecking and Salvage until 1955, when he renamed the business Hovde Salvage. He was instrumental in the demolition of several buildings in and around the Minot area including the Clarence Parker Hotel and several churches, schools, and other buildings. He retired in 1975. Leonore died May 14, 1998. Valdemar moved to Edgewood Vista in 1999, where he lived until recently entering Trinity Homes.

Valdemar was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minot, a former member of Rising Lutheran Church and Christ Lutheran Church- Minot and taught Sunday school at Rising Lutheran Church, and previously served on the Kottke Valley School and Township Boards. He was active in a number of Bible Studies throughout the years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and singing.

Surviving family includes: Children: Darrel (Judith) Hovde, Minot, David (Rita) Hovde, Mesa, AZ, Steven (Marcia) Hovde, Phoenix, AZ, Ronald (Georgine) Hovde, Riverdale, ND, Lorene Dailey, Minneapolis, MN, Marjorie (Harlan) Hohenstein, Minneapolis, MN, Delice (Bill) Chibbaro, New Jersey; Numerous Grandchildren; Great-grandchildren; and Great-great grandchildren; : sister: Marie Hovland, Williston, ND, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Valdemar was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Leonore; brothers: Alf, Christian, Aaron, Walter, and Reuben Hovde; sister: Elizabeth Kraft; daughters: Dorcus Hovde, Maxine Forsman; sons: Paul and Merle Hovde, and sons-in-law: Bill Forsman and Dan Dailey.

Funeral: Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 11:00am. in First Lutheran Church, Minot ;
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot;
Visitation: Monday from 2:00-7:00pm in the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church music ministry or Gideons International.