Obituary: Lara Christine Schukar (Hovland), 42, Hood River
Lara Christine Schukar (Hovland)
Lara Christine Schukar (Hovland) passed away peacefully in her home in Hood River, Oregon, on January 4, 2025, at the age of 42.
Born on June 6, 1982, in Sioux City, Iowa, Lara was the daughter of William Hovland and Kathy Hovland (Butler), and a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.
Lara Christine Schukar (Hovland)
Lara’s journey took her across the United States, having lived in Sioux City, Iowa; Cody, Wyoming; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Warner Robins, Georgia; White Salmon, Washington; and finally, Hood River, Oregon, where she made her home with her family. A graduate of Cody High School in Wyoming, she spent her adult years making a positive impact on those around her, both in her professional career and through her volunteer work.
Lara worked in various roles throughout her life, including at Maxwells Restaurant in Wyoming, the West Side Community Center in New Mexico, Curves in Georgia, and The Terrace in Wyoming. She also volunteered her time and energy at Hood River Post Acute Nursing Home and Westside Elementary in Oregon, where she worked with children and cared for the elderly—a reflection of her compassionate nature. Lara’s greatest pride, however, were her two sons, Drew (11) and Max (6), and her beloved vegetable gardens, which she tended to with care and joy. Her role as a "Boy Mom" was her greatest joy, and she poured love into every moment with her family.
In response to the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lara took it upon herself to create a safe "Pod" to protect her father, referring to it fondly as "Team Grandpa," showing her deep love and commitment to her family.
On August 30, 2008, Lara married her soulmate, Ben Schukar, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Together, they created a beautiful life filled with laughter, adventure, and love.
Lara is survived by her loving husband, Ben Schukar; her two sons, Drew and Max; her mother, Kathy Hovland; her in-laws, Emil and Joni Schukar; her brother, Justin Hovland, and his wife Verinia, along with their children, Soren and Ramona; her sister-in-law, Jenny Cordova, and her husband Dan, along with their daughters, Haley and Trista; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends across the country, all of whom she held dear. She also leaves behind her cherished pets, Penny, Leonard, and Raja.
Lara was predeceased by her father, Bill Hovland, in 2023, and her uncle, Tom Oehlerking, in 2020.
A celebration of Lara’s life will be held on January 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM, with a service led by family friend Adam Pope at Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. A reception will follow. In accordance with Lara’s wishes, her family will later spread her ashes at the ocean in Seaside, Oregon, a place she loved, following a family trip there in September of 2024.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you consider donating or bringing books to support Westside Elementary, a cause close to Lara’s heart.
Lara’s favorite quote, one that embodied her bright and loving spirit, was simply: "Good Morning Sunshine."
Her love, her kindness, and her joy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
