Barbara Hovorka

Barbara Louise Hovorka, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all, passed away Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 after a two year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 93.

Barbara was born June 6, 1933 in Strevell, Idaho to Isabella Eliza Symons and Eston David Jones. The oldest daughter of four girls, Barbara cherished her childhood memories in Hermiston, Oregon where she graduated from high school. Later she attended Eastern Oregon College in La Grande where she joined the marching band as a saxophonist and was also introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized while a sophomore at EOC and lived a faithful life as she did her very best to follow the covenant path.

In December 1952, Barbara married Melvin Duane Westenskow. Together they had three children, Christie, Sally and Murray. As a family, they traveled all over the USA and abroad with Duane’s military assignments, including two years (1968-1970) in Karamusel, Turkey. After 19 years of marriage, Barbara and Duane divorced.

Barbara married Don O. Clark in October 1971. They were married for 31 years. They spent most of their years in the Portland Oregon area. While together they remained active in church and served a two year employment mission in Portland. Don passed away in August of 2002.

When Don passed away Barbara thought her life was over. But soon she met Harold John Hovorka of Madison Wisconsin in the spring of 2004 - and that changed everything! Over the 21 years they were married, they traveled back and forth between Portland and Madison countless times where Hal’s children and grandkids lived. They traveled to Machu Picchu in Peru and Angkor Wat in Cambodia - and many other notable places as well.

They served together as Family History advisors for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Portland Oregon area for ten years. Sadly, Hal passed away in June, 2025.

Besides traveling, genealogy, and gardening, Barbara enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren above all else. She will always be remembered for her yard swing overlooking the 13th hole of the Rock Creek Country Club, her lovely pond filled with fish, her fabulous birthday cakes, Haagen-Dazs ice cream bars and Red Vine licorice! “Grandma Great” was always ready for a fun party! We will miss her very much.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husbands, her parents and her two sisters, Janet and Suzanne; as well as her great grandson, Jess Melvin Claus.

Barbara is survived by her sister Sandra Jones Campbell of Palm Springs, CA, Sandra’s two children and her grandchildren.

Barbara is also survived by her three children and their spouses: Christie Louise Claus (Hans), Sally Jane Hollenzer (Kenneth), and Murray Duane Westenskow (Pamela); all her 14 grandchildren and her remaining 30 great grandchildren. Each one is deeply precious to her and she often said she loved each as though they were her one and only!