Louden, Hugh Keil – 1914-2010

HARRISON, KEIL, LONG, LOUDEN, NEWCOMER, SCHMIDT, SCHULTZ

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 1/20/2010 at 19:36:12

Hugh Keil Louden, 95, farmer, community leader, devoted husband, father and grandfather, of Grinnell, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center.
A celebration of his life will be at his farm home, 6829 Highway T-38, north of Grinnell, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Jasper County Conservation Board in care of Gordon Louden, 911 High Street, Grinnell, IA, 50112.
Source: Newton Daily News; Thursday, January 14, 2010

Additional information from Smith Funeral Home website:
Hugh was born July 11, 1914, the son of Carl Edward and Minnie Keil Louden, in Grinnell. He lived his entire life in the Grinnell area, graduating from Newburg High School in 1932 as Salutatorian. He married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Newcomer on April 7, 1935. They shared a life of farming, family, community service, and travel for the next 62 years.
Hugh began farming as a 3rd generation Duroc Hog breeder in 1935 and had many prize winning hogs throughout the Midwest region. Hugh devoted his life to improving farming relationships both locally and on the international level. One of the highlights in his life was his trip to the Soviet Union in 1960 as a participant in the People to People Agricultural Tour. Another was his visit to Yaminashi prefecture, city of Kofu, Japan, as an ambassador from Iowa to their “sister city.” Hugh was very active in the farming community including Jasper County 4-H club, Farm Bureau, and the Newburg Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years and served as Lieutenant Governor for Division 10 in 1982.
Hugh and wife Maxine hosted many international dignitaries through the US State Departments program, “Experiment in International Living” and enjoyed their many conversations with their international guests on farming operations. They have written a book entitled “Our Legacy” which can be found in the Drake Community Library in Grinnell.
Hugh is survived by daughter, Linda Long of Bentonville, Arkansas, son, Gordon Louden of Grinnell, daughter, Regina Louden of San Diego, California, brother, Warren Louden of Grinnell, four grandchildren: Annette Harrison of Congo, Africa, Emily Schultz and Ben Louden of Grinnell and Amy Schmidt of Columbus, Ohio, and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Maxine, grandson Arn Long, and brother’s Charles and Donald Louden. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Interment will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, at a later date.