Mary E. Hugg

Mary Ethel (Wilson) Hugg was born on August 30, 1922, to George Alfred and Mary Anna (Howe) Wilson in Innisfail, Australia. She was raised in the Anglican Church of Australia and also received her education in Australia. The family moved to Mareeba, Australia around 1938 due to her father's health issues, but regardless of his condition, George bought a dairy business in Atherton and supplied milk to the local townspeople. Mary started helping her father by assisting with the delivery drives to Mareeba and soon enough she was doing the route to Mareeba on her own. Later in her life in Mareeba, she became a seamstress for her sister's business and throughout World War II she would help her mother sew insignia patches for the American GIs in town. Without consulting their parents, Mary and her cousin, Myra joined Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD). VAD was a program started in 1909 to provide nursing care for military personnel throughout the British Empire.

Mary married Curtis A. Hugg on October 30, 1943, in Mareeba, Queensland, Australia. Curtis was one of the American GI's who caught her eye as he played the piano alongside her during his time off. It was Curtis meeting her father, George, and bonding over dairy farming that eventually brought the two together. Following their marriage, she left the only home and family she had known, boarded a ship and moved to Iowa at the age of 22. The couple were blessed with three children: John, James and Mary.

Mary was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denison and enjoyed quilting with others for church activities. She was also a member of Crazy Quilters Club. Decorating the church altar with flowers was something she looked forward to every season. In her younger years, she was a girl scout and cub scout leader for her children. She spent time working at Two Minys and also at the Sheltered Workshop at WESCO teaching sewing classes. Over the years, many people brought their clothes to her home for alterations. Along with her precise and steady handwork, she tended a large vegetable and flower garden for many years. She enjoyed reading and completing crossword puzzles. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family and she was a proud grandma.

Mary passed away on January 17, 2023, at Gracewell - Eventide Lutheran Home in Denison at the age of 100 years, four months and 18 days.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Curtis Hugg in 1992; grandson: James C. Hugg Jr. in 1978; and four sisters: Alma (Eric) Clark, Ruth (George "Snowy") Scullen, Phyllis (William) Hastie, Grace (Sandy) Braes; brother, Frank (Joan) Wilson. She is survived by her three children: John (Emilia) Hugg of Des Moines, Jim (Mary Jo) Hugg of Denison, and Mary Bak of Red Oak; seven grandchildren: Victor Hugg of Chicago, Illinois, Jennifer Hugg of Boston, Massachusetts, Wendy (Eric) Ipsen of Polk City, Nathan Hugg of Las Vegas, Nevada, Lindsey (Dr. Jason Keonin) of Spirit Lake, Tim Hugg of Omaha, and Amanda Bak of Red Oak; seven great-grandchildren: Gavin, Lucas, Harrison, Quinton, Hazel, Alyxandra, and Deklen; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison with a visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to the celebration of life. Inurnment will follow in the Oakland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Denison or the Oakland Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund.

The Celebration of Life Service will be live streamed to the Denison First United Methodist Church Facebook Page.