Jesse Robert Kovash

On Dec. 5, Jesse Robert Kovash, 36, died at Hospice House of North Idaho after he bravely and courageously fought brain cancer for an extended period of time. He was a loving father, husband, son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Jesse was born on Aug. 25, 1977, in Livingston, Mont., to Myron Kovash and Kathy (Peterson) McCabe. He attended many schools growing up including Livingston, Mont, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He graduated from Park High School in Livingston in 1995.

Jesse met his wife, Angela Gibler, at the Livingston Christian Center and they were wed May 16, 2009, in Ritzville. They have a three-year-old daughter named Kenley. Jesse was a loving father to Kenley. He taught her the importance of reading her Bible and praying every day, helped her learn her numbers and ABC’s, and began instilling in her a love of the outdoors. Jesse will live on in his daughter, as she is the best parts of him.

Jesse was a hard-working man of many talents and known as a master craftsman. He owned his own construction business, All in All Builders. Jesse had a talent for finish work, in particular exquisite woodworking and tile. Throughout the years, Jesse also had many interesting construction projects including building a bridge over a creek. One of his favorites was when he worked at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica from August 2002 to January 2003. He even received an Antarctica Service Medal of the United States of America from the National Science Foundation in recognition of his valuable contributions to exploration and scientific achievement under the U.S. Antarctic Research Program. In addition to construction, Jesse also spent several years working as a miner for Stillwater Mining Company in the East Boulder Mine.

Jesse will forever be known by his family and friends as the man who worked hiked like a mountain goat and could out hike the elk! He was an avid hunter, both archery and rifle, and in 2007 shot an enormous 6x7 bull elk, which much to his wife’s dismay had to hang in the living room taking up much of the wall.

Jesse loved spending time with his family and friends. Some of his favorite things were playing games and cards, particularly pinochle – where everyone always wanted Jesse as their partner, spending time in the gorgeous Montana mountains, and watching the Minnesota Vikings. Jesse’s favorite quote to live by was, “You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.”

Jesse is survived by his wife, Angela, and daughter, Kenley, Ritzville; his mother Kathy (JD) McCabe, CDA; his father Myron (Beverly) Kovash, Livingston; Great-Grandmother, Kathryn Shelley, Livingston; and Grandmother, Tillie (John) Lamey, Livingston. He is also survived by three brothers, Jeff (Elin) Hayden, ID; Justin (Amanda) Hayden; and Jarrod, Post Falls. Other survivors are his father-in-law, Paul Gibler, Ritzville; mother-in-law, Paulette (Bob) Allwardt, Yakima; and brother-in-law and his family, Mark, Stacy and Wyatt Gibler, Ritzville. He was preceded in death by his Grandmother Isabelle and Grandfather Arnold Peterson, Grandfather Louie Kovash, and other great grandparents.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations be sent to: Angela and Kenley Kovash, 206 W. 6th Ave., Ritzville, WA 99169. Donations can also be sent to Hospice House of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur D’Alene, ID 83815 or Real Life Ministries, 1866 N. Cecil Rd., Post Falls, ID 83854.

There was a celebration of Jesse’s life on Dec. 10 at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls. Arrangements were made by English Funeral Chapel, Coeur D’Alene.

There will be another celebration in Montana next summer with a scattering of Jesse’s ashes in the Crazy Mountains - Jesse’s heaven on earth. Time and date will be announced later. The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to Jesse’s care.

Visit Jesse’s online memorial at http://www.englishfuneralchapel.com