John Charles Lovell
John Charles Lovell, 73, of Ellsworth passed away on June 22, 2025 at his home in Ellsworth. His zest for life, his family, church, community and students will be celebrated Saturday, July 19 th at 10:30 am at Elim Lutheran Church in Randall. Burial will follow in the Ellsworth Cemetery.
John was born on April 27, 1952 in Mason City to Frink Charles Jr. and Anne (Ayers) Lovell. As the eldest of three boys, John was an energetic and fun-loving firstborn who enjoyed sharing outdoor adventures with his brothers. He lived with his family in Clear Lake, Iowa, Denver, Colorado, and Shoreview, Minnesota, before returning to Clear Lake. John graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1970.
He attended Northwest Missouri State University, where he graduated with an education degree. He taught for two years in Missouri before accepting the high school art teaching position at South Hamilton in the fall of 1976. That is where he spent his career investing in the lives of countless students in his career of teaching art, plus directing musicals, and coaching track and cross country. He stayed in touch with many of his students, and his positive impact is reflected in the many recent social media comments from former students.
John was also an accomplished potter, and while teaching, he spent several summers traveling to art fairs throughout the Midwest. He enjoyed talking and joking with customers as much as discussing and selling his works of art.
John married the love of his life, Janet Halleland Klein, on July 11, 1993. He deeply loved and supported their children in all of their interests, whether music, animals, sports, and more. His nieces and nephews looked forward to their Uncle John’s hugs and jokes at family gatherings. John and Janet were avid Iowa State University fans and traveled around the country to watch Cyclone sports.
John had a deep faith and was an active member of Elim Lutheran Church. He served on the church council and sang in the church choir and a men’s quartet for years. He also enjoyed Men’s Bible study at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth. Always willing to pitch in for his family and his community, he served on the volunteer fire department, the City Council and the Library Board.
John enjoyed fishing in Spirit Lake and Clear Lake as well as duck and pheasant hunting and golfing. He also liked to tend to his flower gardens in the yard so that he could always give Janet fresh flowers.
After retiring from teaching, John helped run the Blairsburg Lumberyard.
John is survived by his children, Travis (Corrie) Klein, Maura (Brandon Sturgill) Klein and Emily Klein; Goddaughter Esther Rose Odhiambo Tischaefer; five grandchildren, Eliana, Skylar, Foster, Chance and Brakella; his brothers, Jim (Janis) Lovell, Tom (Jan) Lovell, Steve (Marcia Jensen) Goranson and Dan (Kimberly Darling) Goranson; his mother-in-law, Betty Halleland; brother-in-law, Keith Halleland, sister-in-law, Joan Kitten and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; father-in-law, Herbert Halleland and brother, Joe Goranson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Elim Lutheran Church.
K Soderstrum-Reimers Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
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Clear Lake Mirror Reporter
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