Hugo, son of John and Antonia Kuhl Wilhelm, was born December 7, 1906, near Botna, in Shelby County. He attended rural schools and in 1924, he graduated from Manning High School.

Hugo worked in the farming community until he was united in marriage with Elsie Kuhl on December 29, 1929, at Zion Lutheran Parsonage by Pastor Johann M. Ansorge. They lived on several farms in Crawford County for 35 years. Then they were in the motel business in Ames and Sioux City until September of 1970 when they moved to their new home in south Manning.

Hugo was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Manning where he was baptized and confirmed in 1927. He held numerous church offices and was a member of the building committee in the early 1960's. While living on the farm Hugo was very active in the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking.

Because of failing health Hugo and his wife moved to the Manning Plaza in 1992. He died there early Monday morning, February 12, 1996 at the age of 89 years, 2 months, and 5 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters: Alma Jahn and Alice Kuhl Jahn; and one great-grandchild, Jonathon Peters.

Survivors include his wife, Elsie, of Manning; his daughters: Lois and her husband, Dan Peters of Manning and Joann and her husband, John Pratt, of Becker, Minnesota; nine grandchildren: Glynis Caton, Gail Tracy, Michael Peters, Mark Peters, Julie Rabbitt, Linda Sharkey, Jeffrey Peters, Gregory Peters and Lisa Hankey; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Selma Olson, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Services were held February 15, 1996 at 10:30 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning, Iowa. Pastor Robert Riggert officiated the service.
Music was provided by Fern Jensen serving as organist with songs "What a Friend We Have In Jesus", "Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me", and "I'm But a Stranger Here".
Interment was in the Manning City Cemetery in Manning, Iowa.
Serving as casketbearers were Paul Vollstedt, Gene Kuhl, Roger Harm, Kent Vollstedt, Gary Kuhl and Roger Kuhl.
Serving as honorary casketbearers were grandchildren Glynis Caton, Gail Tracy, Michael Peters, Mark Peters, Julie Rabbitt, Linda Sharkey, Jeffrey Peters, Gregory Peters, and Lisa Hankey.

The family wishes to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought, word and deed.