John Kalb McGovern

John K. McGovern, formerly of Lake Park, Minnesota passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley, Minnesota. John was born on October 31, 1922 to John P. and Augusta (Kalb) McGovern in Rochester, Minnesota. He attended Rochester Public Schools and attended classes at the local junior college following his high school graduation. John was active in hockey during his high school years and continued to play a wing position for the Rochester Mustangs of the Southern Minnesota Amateur Hockey League, until he entered the military. Upon his return from serving his country he continued his hockey career. John worked for the Olmstead County Highway Department on the survey crew before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corp in February of 1942. John served as a B-24 Liberator top turret gunner based in Pantanella and Foggia, Italy, completing 50 combat bombing missions before returning to the United States with an honorable discharge in September of 1945. John and Lavon Dresler were married in Rochester, Minnesota on June 2, 1945 and to that union three children were born. John was working at a Rochester dental lab and was a member of the local United States Army Reserve Medical Battalion and was activated in October of 1950, serving with the 7th Medical Battalion, 7th Infantry Division Mobile Dental Lab in Korea until receiving an honorable discharge in September of 1951. Following his military service in Korea, John began a career with A.O. Smith Harvestore in Rochester with relocation to Minnesota Valley Sealed Storage and Minnesota Valley Breeders Harvestore Division in New Prague, Minnesota and eventually to Valley Harvestore Systems in Hawley, Minnesota. After his retirement, John spent time doing maintenance activities at Castaway Young Life Camp and with the City of Detroit Lakes. He also worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, doing maintenance work, building hunting blinds, bird houses and general field work. John was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman and competitive trap shooter. He also dedicated many hours helping children and young adults experience the outdoors through various Federal, State and local youth programs. John also served on his local town board for many years as his way of giving back to the community. John is survived by his children, John D. (Helen) of Hermantown, MN; Steve of Escondido, CA; Wendy (Kevin) Johnson of Audubon, MN; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey, Amanda, John C., Kermit, Sarah, Derek and Nichole; six great-grandchildren, Zack, Brandon, Olivia, Griffin, Keelin and Aubrey; sister, Dorothy (Mike) Campion of Plainview, MN; nieces and nephews and Macy, a faithful companion for many years. John was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Lavon. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley (1701 38th St. ste 101, Fargo, ND 58103-4499).