Joseph Hovorka

Joseph Jerome Hovorka, 86, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away in the early hours of Monday, March 9, 2026, after receiving last rites. Born on August 21, 1939, Joe was the fourth child of Dr. Joseph John Hovorka and Edmonia Lee “Eddie Lee” Colvin. His father, a surgeon, met Eddie Lee while working at the Hertzler Clinic in Halstead, Kansas, in the 1920s, and the family later moved to Emporia, where Joe was born. His parents’ deep commitment to community and the Catholic Church profoundly shaped his life. He grew up with his older siblings Mary, Sally, and Jack, enjoying a childhood filled with hunting, Boy Scouts, altar serving, sports, and school plays. He often recalled summers in Destin, Florida, where his father served as a military surgeon during World War II, and at age 16 he embarked on a remarkable six-week adventure touring Alaska, where he wrestled mountain lions and surveyed the Arctic Circle.

Joe attended Emporia State University, where he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, Navy ROTC, and the Newman Club. Although he began studying law, he discovered his true passion in history. Through the Newman Club he met Ruth Julane Wells, whose warmth and spirit he won with sincerity, humor, and charm. They married on June 22, 1963, in Julane’s hometown of Pratt, Kansas, and enjoyed a romantic honeymoon on Bemidji Lake, Minnesota, before beginning their teaching careers in Topeka. A memorable summer-long honeymoon in Europe soon followed, deepening their shared love of travel; mementos and photographs from that journey remained treasured family keepsakes. Their shared faith and devotion to family sustained a marriage of more than 62 years.

Together Joe and Julane raised four children—John (Wendy) Hovorka, Anna (Michael) Ramirez, Susan (Scott) Martin, and Mary (Mark) Brazier—and were active parishioners at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Joe was a lifelong learner and devoted teacher who brought history, especially the Civil War and World War II, vividly to life for his students and children. He enjoyed woodworking and furniture refinishing, golf, current events, movies, folk music, and cooking his special spaghetti sauce and homemade breads and cookies. Above all, he cherished time with family, hosting fondue nights, steak barbecues, and lively games of bridge and charades. He doted on his twelve grandchildren—Maureen, Zach, Gus (Julia), Joseph, Jack, Max (Ale), George, Gloria, RJ, Rachel, Con, and Viggo—and took great pride in his children’s accomplishments and their continued practice of the Catholic faith.

Known for his gregarious nature, dry wit, colorful language, irreverent humor, and remarkable gift for conversation, Joe faced significant health challenges in his later years—including heart disease, Type II diabetes, necrotizing fasciitis, and dementia—with courage and grace, lovingly supported by Julane, Anna, Michael, Maureen, and many devoted family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends who will deeply miss his storytelling and warmth.