DR. LEONARD F. AND ELLEN [BRUCE] LOVLEY
[PG 317 PHOTO Dr. L. F. Lovley]
Dr. Leonard F. Lovley, youngest son of James and Anna Banville
Lovley, was born October 28, 1900, in rural Arcadia, Carroll County,
Iowa. In 1901 the family moved from the farm and settled in Elkton,
South Dakota, where his father was operator of a livery stable and
was also school custodian.
His youth was filled with basketball and his small high school won
numerous state basketball honors. After he graduated he entered
Creighton University where he majored in dentistry. Also in
basketball - he was captain of the Creighton Bluejays for two
consecutive years and an All-American for three. His achievements
were recognized in 1957 when he was inducted into the Helms
Foundation Basketball Hall of Fame. In the spring of 1926 he
established a dental practice in the village of Verdigre. His office
was first above and then in the back of the Verdigre State Bank, the
U. S. Post Office after 1931. He was active in the Volunteer Fire
Department and was on the village board serving as mayor. For a
number of years he coached the basketball team at Verdigre High
School.
On August 21, 1934, Dr. Lovley and Ellen Bruce, daughter of John and
Lillie Tarpenning Bruce, were married by Rev. Charles J. Oborny in
the St. Wenceslaus parish house in Verdigre. A few years later, they
purchased the Ernest Sandoz house on Fourth Avenue, sharing this
home with Ellen’s sister, Mable Bruce. Ellen (July 23, 1899-August
14, 1976) served for years as telephone operator.
In later years, Dr. Lovley underwent several major operations and a
severe hand injury compelled him to end his career as a dentist. For
a time he was manager of the furniture department at Gambles.
Dr. Lovley died January 1, 1978.
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