Richard W. Kovarna

MERRILL, IA | Richard W. Kovarna, 84, of Merrill, IA passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 at a Sioux City hospital.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Military graveside honors and burial will be in Liberty-Perry Twp. Cemetery, Hinton, IA. Visitation will be 8-10 a.m. Thursday with the family present 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Condolences may be offered online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Richard was born Aug. 11, 1933 in Sioux City the son of George and Helen Jean (Kloucek) Kovarna. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Liberty Consolidated High School. Richard served two years of active duty with the U.S. Army in Alaska and four years in the Reserves. On June 25, 1960 he married JoAnn A. Janssen in Sioux City. The couple resided and farmed near Merrill, Iowa their entire life.

Richard loved hunting and fishing. Many mornings were spent on the banks of the Big Sioux River or local ponds fishing and telling stories with his sons and family. Later in life, after retiring from farming, he and his wife enjoyed tilling and tending to his garden. The highlight was when he gave his produce to the neighbors at the end of the growing season. He also enjoyed his membership in the “Card Club” which he frequently participated at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Hinton, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, JoAnn; sons Dick (Dianne) Kovarna of Hutchinson, KS and Scott (Diane) Kovarna of rural Merrill, IA; grandchildren Lacey (Justin) Mills, Zach (Lauren) Kovarna, Ireland Kovarna, Abby Kovarna and Nathaniel Kovarna; and a great-grandson, Easton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Jamie George Kovarna (1 month old); and 4 step-sisters, Gladys, Josephine, Blanche and Darlene.