Bova, Stella Josephine 'Stell'

Stella Josephine “Stell” Bova, 93, of Lisbon, died Friday, May 4, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Stell's funeral Mass will be Monday, May 7, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon. Stell's visitation and viewing will be Monday from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Stell will be buried at St. John Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lisbon.

Surviving Stell are many nieces and nephews. Stell is also survived by two sisters-in law, LaVonne Bova of Lisbon and Joan Bova Ondrei of Sun City, Ariz.

Preceding Stell in death were her parents; four brothers, Joseph “Joe,” John “Chum,” Robert “Popeye,” and Maurice “Mike” Bova; three sisters, Rosena “Rose” Bova, Neta “Net” Clark and Susan “Sue” Fricke; one niece, Victoria Bova; and one sister-in-law, Justine Bova.

Stell was born Sept. 26, 1918, in Lisbon, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Zappavania) Bova. She was a housekeeper for Father John Goodman of Tama for over 28 years. Stell moved back to her Lisbon home in 1968. She was an active member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon.

Stell was true to her God. Her family was the center of her life. She will be remembered for her cooking, hospitality, and her love for the color purple.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hallmark Care and Rehabilitation Center, Mount Vernon, for all their acts of kindness, and especially the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha.

A memorial fund is established.

Online condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com.

Published May 5, 2012, in The Gazette

Updated and published second notice May 6, 2012, in The Gazette