Dates

• Existence: 1924 - 2009

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.

Found in 1 Collection or Record: