Barbara Louise Hovis

1939 - 2025

Barbara Louise Hovis

June 20, 1939 - August 2, 2025

With a heavy heart, we share the passing of our loved one. Barbara Louise Hanson / Hovis, age 86, passed away peacefully in her home on August 2, 2025, in Butte, Mont. Barb was born on June 20, 1939, to her parents, Melvin Walter Hanson and Daisy Elna Hanson, in Whitehall, Mont. She was the oldest of four siblings, her sisters, Donna Tenneson, Sheryl Duffy, and brother, Danny Hanson, who grew up on a ranch in Cardwell.

Barbara attended Cardwell school through the eighth grade; she then attended Whitehall High School, where she participated as a cheerleader and was named the Homecoming Queen as a senior. She graduated from Whitehall High School in 1957. She then attended St. Pats Nursing School, graduating in 1960, the same year she married Norman Robert Hovis.

Together, they had five children, Gary, Roger, Karen, Lisa, and Leslie.

Barbara was a nurse of many talents. She worked in Butte at both the Silver Bow General Hospital and St. James Hospital for 27 years. Barb also served as President of the Montana Nurses Association. She then left for Washington in 1987 to further her nursing career. She was a labor and delivery nurse and even delivered her first grandchild, Brittney. Barb later worked on the IV team in Seattle, Wash. When Barb retired at age 70, she flourished her hands in her beautiful garden. In May of 2024 she returned to Montana and lived the last year of her life surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

"The Love of Gardening is a Seed Once Sown that Never Dies" - Gertrude Jekyll

Barbara is survived by her sisters, Donna Tenneson and Sheryl (Dave) Duffy; her children, Roger (Sherry) Hovis, Karen Hovis, Lisa (Steve) Grachan, and Leslie Hovis; grandchildren, Daniel (Mayra) Greene, Dawn (Mike) Denning, Brittney (Kyle) Fradenburgh, Derek (Kayla) Metcalf, Jacob (Jackie) Duran, Ryen Grachan, Kinzie Rust and Christopher Rust; great- grandchildren, Kiana, Alexa, Julian, Austin, Ashlee, Jeremy, Shade, Haidyn, Ainsley, KyrieAnn, Norman, and Hazel; great-great-grandchildren, Issac, Mateo, Arora, Adaline, Everlee, and Hailee.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Elna Hanson; her brother, Danny Hanson; and her son, Gary Hovis, who passed away at just one day old.

A Celebration of Life will take place at 2 p.m., on August 9, 2025, at Uno's in the back room,3235 Harrison Ave, Butte, MT, 59701.

Barbara will be deeply missed, but fondly remembered.

Please visit axelsonfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Barbara.

Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services

2009 Harrison Ave.

Butte, MT 59701

4064944264