Gary Austin Hudson

     Gary Austin Hudson was born March 29, 1938, and passed from this earth on January 9, 2022. He was the son of Theodore Roosevelt Hudson and Rose Marie Quist Hudson. Gary’s father’s parents immigrated separately from Norway, settling in rural Round Lake near Worthington, MN. Gary shared the month and day of birth with his grandfather, Torsten Asboe, who in America took the name of Austin Hudson, the same last name chosen by an older brother who immigrated earlier. Austin and his wife, Marie (Hanson)  Hudson passed seven years apart at 49 and 42, at which time their young children became orphans.

     Gary’s mother’s father Charles Mikkelsen Kvist came to Spencer, IA, from Assentoft (Jutland)Denmark in 1905, changing the spelling of his last name to Quist. He had followed his Jespersen uncles to Spencer. Charles married Elisabeth Nielsen who had immigrated from Nykobing (Falster), Denmark, had worked as a maid at the Higgins Mansion in Spencer before the present columns were added. They were charter members of Bethany Lutheran Church. Elisabeth’s father, Peter Nielsen, also immigrated and worked as a night watchman for Shine Brothers. Their graves are in Riverside Cemetery as are those of Gary’s beloved parents who worked in Spencer at times during their lives, with most of their working lives spent in Terril, IA, where Ted was a manager of J.F. Anderson Lumber Company and Rose owned a beauty shop. Later they farmed and raised livestock near Milford, Iowa. They set high standards in work ethic and character for Gary to live up to. During his working career he remained close to his parents and helped them throughout their lifetimes by working on the farm many weekends and vacations. Rose lived with Gary the last four years of her life when they spent weekends and Gary’s vacations at the farm so they could visit Ted whose final years were lived in a nursing home.

     Gary graduated from Terril High School. He received his B.A. from the UNI, where he worked parttime in the library and was encouraged to obtain a Master’s Degree in Librarianship. After student teaching in Mason City, Gary taught English for eleven years in Estherville, IA, Rochester and Albert Lea, MN, with the final 6 years at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA.

     During summers, Gary earned his M.A. in English(University of Northern Colorado) and his M.L.S. (Emporia State University, the first A.L.A. Accredited Library School west of the Mississippi). Gary earned membership in Beta Phi MU(International Library Science Honor Society).

     Gary began his career as an academic librarian at Wayne State College (Nebraska) in 1971, first serving as Reference and Serials Librarian with added responsibility for Interlibrary Loan, Bibliographic Instruction, and also teaching in the school library science program. After four and a half years he became Acquisitions Librarian to broaden his base of experience. Gary became Acquisitions Librarian at South Dakota State University (Brookings) in 1977 and then at Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1988. He was tenured and attained the rank of Associate Professor at all three schools. Gary enjoyed his years as an academic librarian and was proud of his service. Gary retired  in mid-2003 from MSU, he then moved to Edina where he purchased his home. He enjoyed maintaining his home and yard and tended a small garden and flower beds. Over his lifetime, Gary loved many family dogs including his final two. A rescue named Kelly and another rescue beagle named Tracy in 2016, who gave him equal companionship and affection, both were very dear to him.

     He loved reading throughout his life, particularly as years passed, biography and history, having great interest in the life and relatives of Napoleon as well as the American Revolution. He held an extensive library. His favorite film was “Gone With The Wind” and he collected memorabilia related to the film. His favorite actress was Jean Simmons who was an Academy Award nominee and winner of both Golden Globes and an Emmy for “The Thorn Birds”. Jean resembled Vivien Leigh of “GWTW” and was called Scarlett O’Hara’s sweeter sister. Gary received a credit on the Thank You screen of Biography Channel’s program on Jean Simmons for the memorabilia which he loaned the producer of the program. He also loved classical music.

     He made several trips to Spencer several times each year to visit relatives and tend family graves in Riverside Cemetery. Gary was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer.

     Gary is survived by cousins, friends and other relatives.

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