Phayvanh Lovan

Phayvanh Lovan, age 44, of San Jose, California formerly of Storm Lake died on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. Burial will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the funeral home in STORM LAKE. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Phayvanh Lovan, the son of Cheua and Ouy (Baccam) Lovan, was born on September 21, 1974 in Vientiane, Laos. Phayvanh graduated from Storm Lake High School. On July 24, 1997, Phayvanh enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged on April 16, 2018. Phay Lovan loved serving his country – America. As a full-time Army Soldier, he earned the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). Throughout his career, he was assigned to 2nd Infantry Division in both South Korea and Fort Lewis, Washington; 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas; and 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York. He deployed to combat four different times, including twice to Afghanistan, totaling 21 months and twice to Iraq, totaling 18 months; once to a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo for six months; and to Korea for seven months. SFC Lovan retired in 2018 after 23 years of military service. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medals (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (5 awards), Army Achievement Medal (5 awards), Army Good Conduct Medals (7 awards) and Combat Action Badge, among several others. On June 11, 2012, Phayvanh was united in marriage to Dalila “Lizzy” Lovan. The couple was blessed with three children: Mia, Matthew, and Marianna. In his freetime, he enjoyed cheering on the Vikings. He wore his Vikings jersey every night. Those left to cherish his memory include: his father, Cheua Lovan; wife, Dalila “Lizzy” Lovan of San Jose, California; children: Mia, Matthew, and Marianna; brothers: Manh Lovan of Storm Lake, Iowa; Choung Lovan of Storm Lake, Iowa; and Khai Lovan of Minneapolis, Minnesota; sisters, La (Leroy) White of Charles City, Iowa and Chan (Scott) Miller of Clive, Iowa; nephews: Trevor White, Mason White, and Cody Gerber; nieces: McKenzie White, Sophie Miller, and Margaret Miller. Phayvanh was preceded in death by his mother, Ouy Lovan; his brother, Dewey Lovan; and grandparents: Ngoum Lo Thi; Phuc and Vang Baccam.

Phayvanh Lovan

September 21, 1974 - April 27, 2019