Kuhn, Hugh Edward 1911 – 2000

KUHN, MURRAY

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/17/2016 at 16:24:56

Source: Riceville Recorder June 29, 2000, P.13
from Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee

Hugh Kuhn, Howard County resident

Hugh Edward Kuhn lived a long and productive life, 43 years of it in Howard County. He was born on a farm in 1911 in Palo Alto County, Iowa, and worked hard to send himself through Iowa State University during the Great Depression.

Early signs that he could fend for himself while enjoying the company of other people was on a trip across the U.S. he took with two other young men in 1935. Fitting out his Ford coupe for camping, the three spend seven months driving to California then to Washington state, to work on farms and orchards. From that trip on, Hugh remained close friends with Valiere Dundee to the end of his life.

He courted Ruth Murray when he was at Iowa State. They married on Memorial Day in 1941, and he entered army service in World War II. In 1945 his son Jim, currently of Arlington, Mass., was born, and daughter Frances of Fredericksburg, Iowa, was born three years later.

Hugh applied his degree in Dairy Husbandry to farming, saving enough to buy a farm in Howard County in 1957. He saw a need for Dairy Herd Improvement testing in the county and founded the first association here, eventually serving as president of the State DHIA Supervisors Association.

This began a long list of contributions to society. Hugh was involved in many organizations, not just as a joiner, but doing good things for others. The Kiwanis, American Legion, Farm Bureau, Extension Council, Iowa Association for the Blind, Howard County Historical Society and the Care Review committee for the Cresco Care Center were among his associations. Most significant was his long participation in the Cresco Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School, lay speaking, participating in men's groups and being financial secretary.

Hugh's interests were many, including amateur radio, antique radio collecting, travel, Elderhostel, writing family history and politics. He was a teacher by nature, helping his DHIA herds learn new techniques and in later life, being a dairy nutrition consultant.

He was a person of great inner strength, providing a calming influence on others and being able to get them to take a fresh look at old problems.

He passed away in Cresco on June 21,2000, survived by his brothers, Russ of Emmetsburg and Lyle of Rodman; and his children.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 26 at the United Methodist Church in Cresco, with burial in the Oak Lawn Cemetery. Rev. Lewis Flanigan officiated.

Lindstrom Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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