Richard Hudgel 1876 - 1943

HUDGEL, MARY, POLLY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/18/2023 at 18:59:03

The Anthon Herald
5 May 1943

Following a lingering illness, R. Hudgel, 67, Anthon undertaker for the past 36 years, died shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, May 3, 1943, in St. Joseph's hospital at Sioux City where he had been a patient a week. Although he had been in failing health the past four years, "Dick" did not become seriously ill until two years ago. Except for a few times when he ventured downtown or visited relatives at Sloan, he had been confined to his home the past two years.

When his condition became worse he was taken to the Sioux City hospital Monday, April 26, and he passed away peacefully there a week later after receiving the last sacraments of the Catholic Church. Only two days before his demise, he and a daughter, Mary Clare, had observed their anniversary together.

Richard Hudgel was born 1 May 1876, to William J. and Priscilla Polly Hudgel in Fairview Twp., Monona County. He grew to manhood in the Sloan vicinity, receiving his education in the Sloan High School. After farming a number of years, he operated a grocery store at Sloan from 1903 to 1905. Then he went to Des Moines to study embalming. Upon completing his course at the Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in 1906, he served his apprenticeship under W.R. Barnard at Sloan.

Early in September 1907, Mr. Hudgel came to Anthon, purchased the W.H. Miller Furniture store and operated a furniture and undertaking business in it. The following year he bought the stock of the D.E. Wing furniture store adjoining and moved the stock into the former Miller building. In 1926 fire destroyed most of the stock and part of the building, so Mr. Hudgel was compelled to operate his business in the I.O.O.F. hall for several months until the razed structure could be rebuilt. Desiring to provide the community with a modern funeral chapel, in 1932 he purchased the old frame building adjoining his on the west from the Jesse Whitmer estate. However, the depression and drought years prevented his going ahead with his plans to remodel the old structure for a long time, and it was not until December 1941 that the present beautiful funeral chapel was completed and open to the public.

One of his sons, Edwin F., has been associated here with his father since 1934.

The deceased was married at Riverside, Iowa, November 24, 1909, to Josephine Mary, who operated a millinery shop in Anthon. Their entire wedded life was spent here, and together they reared a large family.

Mr. Hudgel was very active in community affairs. From 1912 to 1916 he served as postmaster of Anthon, and he was Republican committeeman from Miller Twp. over a number of years. Generous and charitable he buried many poor people without remuneration for his services and gave freely to the support of various local churches. From the standpoint of service, he was one of Anthon's oldest businessmen. During the early years when morticians were few and far between Dick Hudgel conducted funerals in an enormous territory, and it is estimated that he buried at least 1,200 persons during the 36 years he served this community as a funeral director. In his profession he enjoyed an enviable reputation for the quality of his work and frequently assisted Sioux City morticians with difficult cases.

As a funeral director he knew how to console the bereaved and did everything he could to lighten their sorrow. As the father of a big family he was a good provider, and he was most generous to his children. He was deeply attached to his family and he would see to it that their wishes were realized if it were at all possible for him to do so.

Mr. and Mrs. Hudgel endeavored to give all their children the best education possible and could point with pride to the fine sons and daughters they reared. Three sons followed their father's footsteps and became successful morticians, and a fourth, a surgeon by profession, now is serving his country as a major in the army. Four daughters are happily married, and the two youngest daughters are making rapid strides in the business worlds.

Surviving are the widow; four sons, Lester R. of Garretson, South Dakota; Claude B. of Ida Grove; Maj. Lawrence E. Hudgel of Camp Grant, Illinois, and Edwin F. of Anthon; six daughters, Mrs. George (Susan) Mack of Des Moines; Mrs. Richard E. (Herma) Cummings of Cedar Rapids; Mrs. Eldred (Marjorie) Lloyd of San Anselmo, California; Mary Clare and Jeanette of Des Moines; a brother, A.E. Hudgel of Sloan; three sisters, Mrs. Nora Archer, Jessie and Maude Hudgel of Sloan; seven grandchildren; other relatives and a legion of friends.

All the children will be present for the father's services which will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church by Rev. A. Conlon, pastor. Interment will be in Mt. St. Joseph's Cemetery, Anthon.