Iowa Women's Archives
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa
MYRTLE KEPPY (1922- )
PAPERS, 1926-2001
2 linear feet
Iowa Women's Archives
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Phone: 319-335-5068
Fax: 319-335-5900
E-mail the Iowa Women's Archives
Collection Overview
Acquisition: |
The papers (donor no. 776) were donated by Myrtle Keppy in 2001 and subsequent years.
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Access: |
The papers are open for research. |
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Copyright: |
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to The University of Iowa. |
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Photographs: |
In Boxes 3 and 4. |
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Processed by: |
Doris Malkmus, 2001; Elizabeth Engel, 2004; Sharon Lake, 2008. [KeppyMyrtle.doc]. |
Biography
Myrtle Eckermann Keppy, farm woman, 4-H assistant, Iowa Porkette president, diarist, and hostess was born to a German farm family in Scott County, Iowa, in 1922. She attended rural schools and graduated from Davenport Central High School. In 1946 she married a local farmer, Roy Keppy. They had four children Glen, Dale, Annette, and Ila Jean Keppy. Myrtle Keppy was a proficient hog farmer, mother, and hostess. She was a 4-H assistant during her children’s youth and was president of the county 4-H. The Keppy farm raised and showed champion cross-breed hogs on their farm near Eldridge, Iowa. Although Roy Keppy had left school after graduating from eighth grade, he led several farm organizations, and served at various times as president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, the National Pork Producers Council, 1970-1971, and the Meat Board, 1984-1985. Myrtle Keppy joined her husband in these organizational activities as well as at hog contests. She was the founding vice president of the Iowa Porkettes and served as its president in 1965 and 1966. She also hosted numerous groups at their 1200-head hog operation, from local school children to international visitors to presidential candidate George Bush, Sr. Bush announced his candidacy for president from their Scott County farm. In 1966, the Keppys were awarded the Iowa Blue Ribbon Farm Family. She and her husband remained actively involved in the Republican Party and have campaigned for U.S. Representative Jim Leach. They were named to the Iowa State University Hall of Fame in 2001.
Scope and Content Note
The papers date from 1926 to 2001 and measure 1.6 linear feet. They consist primarily of newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, and correspondence, mostly relating to Myrtle and Roy Keppy ’s association with the pork industry. Also included are materials from Myrtle Keppy ’s involvement in 4-H, the Iowa Porkettes, and the Iowa Mothers Assocation. The comprehensive diaries of Myrtle Keppy and her mother, Mildred Wiese, complete the collection.
Related Collections
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- Iowa Porkettes records
- A farm organization begun as a women’s auxiliary to the Iowa Pork Producers Association with the purpose of promoting pork. Keppy’s reminiscences as a founding member are located in the oral histories of Kathryn Lowden.
Annette (Keppy) Remsburg- Rural Reality: Sixty Years of Iowa Farm Family Life: Excerpts from Daily Diaries Written 1940-2000 by Myrtle (Eckermann) Keppy (Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2004). Shelved in Iowa Women's Archives printed works collection.
Box List
4-H
Newspaper clippings
Family
Roy Keppy
Iowa Mothers Association
General
Mother of the Year nomination form
Correspondence
1933-1998
Cards
Pig cards
Miscellaneous pork related materials
Photographs
1940-2000
Eighth grade and high school graduation
Loose items from scrapbooks
1937-1966
1947-1961
1950-1958
1962-1986
1926-1954
1940-1949
1937-1966
1944-1951, 4-H and family scrapbook
1947-1961
1950-1958
4-H girls’ convention, 1942
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This page was created December 1, 2004.