Obituary

Maynard Paul Hughes, age 81, passed away November 23, 2021, due to complications of Covid-19. There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m.,  on Saturday, Dec. 18, at il Villaggio Homes, Bradenton, FL.

Maynard P. Hughes was born on July 24, 1940, to Leonard and Edna (Braton) Hughes in rural Rothsay, Minnesota.  He was baptized as an infant in the Barnesville Congregational church. At the age of 10, he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Maynard attended the one room country school District 19 his first eight grades, graduated from Barnesville High School and the University of Minnesota, Institute of Agriculture. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. He spent much of his teaching career focused on perfecting adult vocational training for farm families through the Minnesota Vocational Technical College system. This was supplemented by programs he conducted as crop aid specialist for International Minerals and Chemical (IMC), as market analyst for Pioneer Hi-Bred International and as Pro-Farmer Marketing Club coordinator for Professional Farmers of America (PFA).

Maynard’s unique easy to understand writing style served him well in each of these endeavors. He ended his writing career as senior writer for the periodical, Practical Gardener. Upon retiring, Maynard continued sharing his skills as a U of MN Master Gardener and tree care advisor.

Maynard was united in marriage to Lois Olson of Lake Norden, SD, on September 1, 1991. The couple enjoyed traveling, cruising, gardening and creative landscape designing. Maynard spent many months researching Canby, MN, history and artfully displayed the information in the Canby Depot.

In September, 2015, the couple moved to il Villaggio Homes, a 55+ retirement community in Bradenton, FL. Maynard spent much time redesigning the village rose garden, planting rose bushes and tenderly caring for the garden.  Maynard and Lois enjoyed visiting 138 of the 175 Florida state parks as well as traveling to many parts of the United States and Canada.

He was predeceased by his parent and brothers, James and Gregg.

He is survived and remembered by his loving wife, Lois; two sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews.