Emma Hough

BIOGRAPHY

Emma Hough was born in Fayette County, Iowa, USA, on 2 December 1904. Her parents were Albert Burkhart (1862–1933) and Sarah E. Lauterbach (1866–1927). She had a brother. Emma graduated from Sumner High School in 1922, then went on to earn a B.A. in English Literature and Biology from Upper Iowa University in 1926. In 1951, she received a B.S.L.S. in Library Science from the University of Minnesota.

On 2 February 1928, Emma married Charles Henry Hough. He passed away on 30 July 1981. Emma’s career in education spanned several decades. From 1944 to 1952, she taught physical education in Sumner, Iowa, and in Ironwood, located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She then served as a school librarian in Manistee, Michigan, from 1953 until her retirement in 1969.

In 1971, Emma returned to her hometown. After Charles’s passing, she became an avid world traveler, exploring the globe from 1981 to 1995. Emma became a resident of Hillcrest Home in 2003. She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Sumner.

Emma Hough passed away in Sumner, Iowa, on 18 June 2016, at the age of 111 years, 199 days.

RECOGNITION

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest known living person in the U.S. state of Iowa. Upon her passing, she was succeeded by Tressa Bartholomew.

Her age was validated by the Gerontology Research Group, and recognized by LongeviQuest.

ATTRIBUTION

* Emma B. Burkhart Hough – Find A Grave

* “Emma B. Hough” – Dignity Memorial

GALLERY

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