Mr. Donald Lee Hovdet, affectionately known to those closest to him as Don or Papa , age 79 of McMinnville, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Skyline Medical Center in Nashville.

Don was born January 15, 1945 in Odin, Minnesota to the late Leonard and Helma Matistad Hovdet. He was a retired mechanic, most notably for Nashville's Metro Government. Don was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. While in the service, Don traveled with a service friend to visit his hometown. That visit introduced Don to his future wife, Jan. As an avid outdoorsman, Don loved to hunt and fish. He will fondly be remembered as a jokester, always finding joy in picking on his loved ones.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by a sister Lois Clough and brother Norman Hovdet.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years Jana "Jan" Swift Hovdet

Son: Eric (Patty) Hovdet

Daughter: Kristin (Scott) Meece

Grandchildren: Courtney (Jacob) Bradley, Hannah Meece, Mary Hovdet, Shana (Daniel) Alford

Great-grandchildren: Emma Bradley, Colton Bradley, Skyler Alford, Harmony Alford, Melody Alford and Symphony Alford

Sister: Rosemary Hovdet

Don's family has entrusted Hunter Funeral Home with his cremation and no services will be planned