Wynette Leonore (Ekonen) Rova

Wynette Leonore “Bunny” Rova, age 86, passed away on April 8, 2022.

Bunny was born in Winton, MN and received her nickname on day 1. Her childhood was spent at resorts long gone now–on Newton & Basswood Lakes (currently the BWCA), where her parents were caretakers. She graduated from Ely HS in 1953 and then U of MN in 1957. She and Ely-ite Bill Rova were married in Aug 1957 at the Americana Lodge on Basswood Lake.   They lived in Hibbing and Minnetonka before settling in Plymouth, in a home designed/built by Bill Sr where they raised their 5 sons.

Bunny was a cub scout leader, baseball mom and a very active member of the church where she met many lifelong friends. With their boys in school, she remained busy working at Anita Beck’s Reindeer House, Department 56 & Odin. Her life was full. Knitting was a constant. She kept family, friends, and donation drives supplied with mittens, socks, scarves and sweaters year after year.

Bunny was preceded in death by parents, Jeannette and Waino Ekonen; sister, Darlene Olson; husband, Bill Sr.; and eldest son, Bob.

She is survived by sons, Bill Jr. (Rebecca), David (Mary), Mike, and Mark (Karen); and grandchildren, Nick, Daniel (Malarie), Rex, Kelli (Connor), Kaisa, Brynn, Emily, Spencer, Collin, Lauren, Joey and Elyse. Special regards to lifelong friend & cousin, Rosemary Jankowski. Bunny was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Memorial Service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 30th at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel in Plymouth. Burial will be at Ely Cemetery sometime this coming summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to your personal choice.