The Native Iowan

My Mother’s youngest sibling, my “Aunt Molly” passed away.

She is the last of “that generation”, my parents’ generation, the depression era kids that grew up as first generation Americans. My uncles “Jimmy” and “Tyke”. My aunts “Irene” “Susu” and “Molly”… They were the pioneers from their era. The first kids born from immigrant parents.

“That Generation” was extraordinary in many ways. They grew up hard. I do recall tales of a tough youth from the uncles. I learned many “thrift-full” tricks from the aunts. They all (those that didnt smoke) lived long lives. As a child I recall visiting Thea and Theo Kanavas. I liked thinking I was “Greek”. I do recall some lively times joining the Greek Community in Dubuque, IA for a party… It’s been many years but I still have tales. The dancing was always my favourite.

I can’t go far when discussing “That Generation” without mentioning, remembering “Aunt Toolie” and “Uncle Greg”.

Of course I can easily recall “Uncle Bruce’s” calm demeanour. In later life I learned that “Uncle Bruce” had been an Ensign on the USS Hornet. He was a bone fide HERO.

“Aunt Molly” is most remembered in my mind for her smile. It was always there. It’s in her picture. The same smile I vividly recall from my childhood.

I never knew her name was “Mirian”.

Aunt Molly’s Obituary…

Marian “Molly” Hudson, passed away on May 11, 2026, at the age of 94. She was born on April

30, 1932, in Dubuque, Iowa.

Plans for a Celebration of Life are pending at this time. When those plans are in place, a notice

and invitations will be forthcoming.

Molly was the daughter of Greek immigrants, and the youngest of six siblings, two boys and

four girls. She noted with gratitude that her family’s support allowed her to move to Des

Moines, start a job at the Des Moines Register, where her boss, Bob Hudson, introduced her to

Bruce, his brother and her future husband.

Molly and Bruce raised three boys as Bruce’s jobs took them from Des Moines to Appleton,

Wisconsin, and ultimately to Ames, were Bruce joined the ISU Memorial Union in 1963 and

advanced to Managing Director. Molly lived in the house they built on Linden Drive untii 2025.

Molly’s presence in the community outside of her home moved through three distinct phases,

as she became an award winning salesperson for World Book Encyclopedia, then a pioneering

and (again) award winning representative for Welcome Wagon, then as the diminutive and

lively “Angel Lady”, creating and distributing shell angels she systematically assembled in her

home “factory”. Her family and friends chipped in to extend the distribution network

worldwide.

After Bruce’s passing, she lived independently in her Linden Drive home, acquired a Mini

Cooper for errands, and became a beloved fixture in the neighborhood. At age 92, she moved

to the Green Hills retirement community and cruised the halls and grounds greeting fellow

residents, visitors, staff, and families, and “spreading joy” with her angels. She was

compassionately cared for and cherished by a team that delighted in her humor and lifelong

devotion to stylish dress.

Marian is survived by her sons, Paul (Deb), John, and Scott (Wendy) Hudson, eight

grandchildren; Joseph, Katherine, Lauren, Tara, Nikolas, Abby, Evan, and Tess; and three

great-grandchildren.

Molly was preceded in death by husband of fifty-seven years, Bruce; her parents, Andrew and

Vera Angelos; and five siblings, Irene, Gust James (Jimmy), Helen, Mary, and James (Tyke).