James "Bud" McGovern, 87, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away at 11:17 p.m., on Friday, January 12, 2018 at the Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, Iowa, after suffering a head injury due to falling on ice.
Friends and relatives of Bud may call from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Thursday at the Funerla Home.
Services for Bud will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, January 18, 2018 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, Iowa with Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Epworth, Iowa, with full military honors afforded by the John White American Legion Post #650 of Epworth, Iowa.
He was born October 8, 1930 in Cascade, Iowa, son of and George and Ella M. (Brun) McGovern. He received his education in the Cascade schools. On June 18, 1955 he was united in marriage to Georgene Turnis at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sand Springs, Iowa. He was employed at the former Dubuque Packing Co and later at Hanson Transfer Co. as a truck driver. Bud enjoyed golfing, walking and playing euchre. He was very sociable and always enjoyed visiting with people. His family was greatly important to him.
He was a Korean War Veteran. He is a recipient of the Governors volunteerism award, and was Grand Marshal at the Epworth Town and Country Days. He was a member of St. Patrick's Parish of Epworth, IA and the Epworth American Legion Post #650.
He is survived by his wife, Georgene McGovern of Epworth; eleven children, Pat (Lynn) McGovern of Peosta, Tom (Kate) McGovern of Davenport, Sue (Jerry) Ross, Bill McGovern both of Epworth, Joe McGovern of Robins, Mike McGovern of Cedar Rapids, Dave (Christine) McGovern of Atkins, Theresa (John) Larsen of Waunakee, WI, Dan (Amy) McGovern of Peosta, Terry (Jenifer) McGovern of Earlville, and Becky (Terry) Kluesner of Hiawatha; 32 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; seven sisters, Jacqueline Trumm of Cascade, Joan (Jerry) Otting and Betty Leibold all of Cascade, Linda (Urban) Manternach and Marie (Kenny) Green all of Dubuque, IA, Sr. Ann McGovern of Canton, OH and Donna Reinke of Ferndale, WA; one brother Robert (Cheryl) McGovern of Madison, WI; two sisters-in-law, Marty Turnis of Monticello and Rosie Turnis of Cedar Rapids.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother Thomas McGovern; a sister, Faith Kelly; brothers-in-law, Merlin Reinke, Bob Kelly, Louie Leibold, Francis "Bud" Trumm, Arnie Turnis, John Turnis, Clarence Turnis, Adrian Turnis and Bob Turnis.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com
The family wishes to thank the Epworth Fire Department, Mercy ER staff, UIHC staff and Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House for their efforts in caring for our dad.