Victor Kovarik

Wednesday, September 19, 2018 1:23 pm

Victor Kovarik, 92, of Spillville, died Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 22, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Spillville, with Father Robert Gross officiating. Lectors were Greg Skemp and Jacob Lacey and Beth Lacey. Organist was Lane Rich. Soloist was Dan Silhacek. The St. Wenceslaus Choir provided music. Hymns were “Here I am Lord,” “Bread, Blessed and Broken,” “Eagles Wings,” “Goin Home” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Eucharistic ministers were Karen Kovarik and Bob Skemp. Offertory gift bearers were Keith Kovarik, Jasmine Wreghitt and Victoria Wreghitt. Honorary casket bearers were all of Victor’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The urn was lovingly carried by Nick Kovarik. Military rites were provided by Spillville American Legion Clarence Bily Post 467, United States Navy. Interment was at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery, Spillville. Arrangements were handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, Spillville.

Victor Kovarik was born Aug. 2, 1926, the son of Charles and Lula (Brom) Kovarik in Spillville. Vic attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from Calmar High School. After high school he spent two years in the US Navy. Vic married Evelyn Macal June 27, 1949, at St Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Together they had eight children: Michael, Patricia, Faith, Amy, Alan, Steven, William and Nadine. Vic managed the Shell Oil Station, worked for Klimesh Ford, Joe Pavlovec, Richard Swehla, Farm Service and Calmar Manufacturing Co. as a cabinetmaker. After retirement, he worked part time at Ace Hardware and Fareway Foods in Decorah, enjoying the social interaction. Victor enjoyed spending time with his family, working on his Model T and reading. He was a member of the local Model T-club, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Spillville American Legion Clarence Bily Post 467 and several church and civic organizations.

Victor is survived by four daughters: Patricia (Bob) Skemp, Hazel Green, Wis., Faith (Jerry) Lacey, Spillville, Amy (Reg) Bakken, Decorah, and Nadine (Jeff) Wreghitt, Hampton; three sons: Alan Kovarik, Spillville, Steven (Karen) Kovarik, Cambridge and William (Pam) Kovarik, Calmar; 15 grandchildren: Gregory (Stacy) Skemp, Michael (Jen) Skemp, Jeffrey (Meghan) Skemp and Jennifer Skemp, Amanda (Troy) Bee, Melanie Lacey (Jack Christensen), Beth Lacey, Jacob Lacey (Brandi Zobeck), Christopher (Stacey) Bakken, Nicholas Kovarik (Candice Lint), Jeremiah (Jocelyn) Kovarik, Zachariah Kovarik, Keith Kovarik, Jasmine and Victoria Wreghitt; 20 great-grandchildren: Bryce and Mckinley Skemp, Harper, Emersyn, Ella and Mila Skemp, Byron, Harrison and Amelia Skemp, Raven and Brock Horstman, Zoe Bee, Roman, Oliver and Willow Christensen, Olive Lacey, Liam Lacey, Olivia and Tyler Bakken and Evelyn Kovarik; in-laws: Imogene Macal, Decorah; Leonard (Doris) Macal, Cresco; Irene Haskovec, Protivin; and Helen (Henry) Schwartz, Seattle, Wash.

Vic was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; parents, Charles Lula (Brom) Kovarik; son, Michael, in infancy; siblings: Lillian (Robert) Kafka, Helen (Lester) Melsh, Dorothy (Gene) Meyer, Celia Brom Robinson and Marcella Kovarik; in-laws: Agnes Hellen. Leonard Haskovec, William and Rose Macal, and Roy Macal.