Harry Hughes

Harry Hughes, 85, of Lewis, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 25, 2009, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.

Harry Frederick was born July 3, 1923, in Harrison County, Iowa, the son of Frederick P. and Bertha V. (Schroeder) Hughes. He attended school in Missouri Valley and then Logan-Magnolia.

Harry worked and lived with area farmers until the age of 13. When he was 20, he and his brothers began farming in the Wiota area and continued there until 1949, when he moved to Marne. In 1963, he and Dorothy moved to the farm in Lewis, Iowa. Harry loved to work the land and was thankful to Bill Niland and Tommy Peterson for the opportunity to rent and later purchase this farm ground. Harry farmed until he retired in the late 1980's. When his health failed in December of 2008 he moved to the Griswold Care Center.

On April 24, 1947, Harry married Dorothy Elizabeth Bannister in Leavenworth, Kansas.

He will be remembered as "Father Flanagan" as he was known to take in many friends and relatives for extended stays. Harry never turned anyone down when they asked him for help. Those staying with him would help him with chores and in return he and Dorothy would furnish room and board. They appreciated the company. Harry loved animals, especially dogs and horses. He was a member of the Pinto and American Paint Horse Association. He enjoyed going to horse sales and flea markets. A special thank you to Cal Rhoads for his extended stay and helping farm when Harry had his foot and leg injury, which he received while chopping corn in 1964. Also a special thanks to Dennis Linfor and Gary and Paula Jameson for being there to help Harry when his family couldn't be.

Harry is survived by his son, Loren (Pam) Hughes of Dows, Iowa, and their 3 children, Kim (Brad) Brinkman and their children, Lynsey, Carrissa and Bryce of Dows, Iowa, Lynn (Heather) Hughes and their children, Ellie, Rourke and Breck of Ankeny, Iowa, and Jessica (Ray) Hughes-Garza and their son, Crew of Mason City, Iowa; his daughter, Vicki (Ron) Beebe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and their son Jason (Angie) Beebe of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and his daughter, Hannah of Adair, Iowa, and their children, Hailey and JJ of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; his brother, Duane Hughes of Bedford, Iowa; his sister and brothers-in-law and their families; many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Bertha Hughes; his sisters, Elsie Caldwell and Evelyn Peterson; his brother, Philip "Butch" Hughes; and his grandson, Todd Beebe.

Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m., Thursday, May 28, 2009, at the Oakwood Cemetery by Lewis, Iowa. Following the service, the family invites you to join them for a luncheon in the Hockenberry Family Care Community Room in Atlantic.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.