Mike Kovanen
Jan 31, 2018
Mike Kovanen, Lewiston Class of '64, died today, 1/31/2018 in Virginia. He was 71 years old. Mike was in Virginia visiting his son when he contacted the flu. He spent two weeks in the hospital prior to his passing. His son and daughtyer were both with him at the time of his passing.
Update 2/7/2018 Lewiston Morning Tribune
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Michael B. Kovanen, 71, formerly of Lewiston, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, at Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Va. Hill & Wood Funeral Service of Charlottesville is in charge of arrangements.
Update 3/2/2018 Lewiston Morning Tribune
Heaven gained a new star Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018, when Michael B. Kovanen died from complications of the flu, while surrounded by his wife, son and daughter. He was a beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. We will never stop missing him.
Mike was born Sept. 4, 1946, to Ada and Matt Kovanen in Lewiston. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1964. He was active in sports and numerous school activities. Many of his lifelong friendships started at LHS.
He graduated from Lewis-Clark State College after serving in the U.S. Navy. In Vietnam, he was part of a swift boat crew patrolling the canals in the Mekong Delta.
On June 21, 1975, he and Dorothy Haller embarked on a lifelong love affair. They had two children, Lt. Col. Andrew and Capt. Kathryn, both in the military.
Mike earned a master's degree in business at Gonzaga University.
He retired from many interesting jobs in the insurance industry. His favorite job was after retirement when he taught at a Catholic high school in Nogales, Ariz.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Richland; son Andrew of Virginia; daughter Kathryn of North Dakota; and sister Carole and her children, Gayle and Bob. His dear grandchildren include Ada of North Dakota, and William, Matthew, Nathan, Elizabeth, Emily, Joshua, Daniel and Gabriel, all of Virginia. Several cousins and two aunts also survive him.
A memorial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
2014 Reunion News: I have been a property/casualty insurance adjuster since graduating from LCSC starting with Safeco. then Regional Claims Mgr. for Mission Grp.,Portland, Weyerhauser Co. Federal Way, Leader National, Bellevue and Tacoma and Grange Ins. Grp.,Seattle. My wife has been a special education teacher and a grade school principal for 18 yrs. in the Pullman, Moscow, Washougal and Franklin Pierce School districts.
After we retired we moved to Spokane for a couple years and remodeled a house that we had owned for some time. We then moved to Richland for some more remodeling. Then to Green Valley, AZ for yet more remodeling. Dorothy taught Special Ed. for a year in Rio Rico and I taught H.S. in Nogales, AZ. We moved up to Richland permanently 3 years ago.
We have traveled extensively through the US and have enjoyed visiting our kids and grandkids. We fiddle in the yard, enjoy family and friends, play very, very little golf (stupid sport)and are enjoying life. Looking forward to some foreign travel.
2009 Reunion News: ...more places yet unknown.
2004 Reunion News:
Future Plans: Off to places yet unknown
30 Year Reunion 1994
Spouse's Name: Dorothy
Current residence: Puyallup WA
Occupation: Insurance Mgr
Spouse's Occupation: Education Principal
Family: Andrew 17; Kathryn 16.
Number of grandchildren: 0
Places lived in the last 10 years: Puyallup and Washugal WA
Hobbies and other interests:
Plans or goals for the next 10 years: Get the kids into and graduated from college, pronto! A little traveling.
Major highlights of the last 10 years: Wife Dorothy earned her doctorate in educational administration, both kids play instruments at Rogers High School and the Tacoma Youth Symphony.
20 Year Reunion 1984
Spouse's Name: Dorothy
Current residence: Washugal WA
Occupation: Mission Insurance Co Prop/Cas Supervisor.
Spouse's Occupation: Washugal School District-Principal Grade School
Family: Andrew 7; Kathryn 6
Navy '66-69. Lewis-Clark College BS 72. Gonzaga MS 79. Moved often; Seattle, Bellevue, Longview, Spokane, Pullman and Moscow.
10 Year Reunion 1974
Current residence: Redmond WA
Occupation: Insurance Adjuster
1964-66 LCSC, 1966-69 Navy, 1969-72 LCSC and graduated. 1972-74 am presently Insurance Adjuster for Safeco.
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