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In memory of

Emmer Hulce

of Midland, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, September 27, 2006 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 80

Emmer Edward Hulce was born December 27, 1925, in Presho, South Dakota, the second son of Albert and May (Darling) Hulce. Emmer started school in Presho and then attended various country schools. He moved with his parents to Vivian, South Dakota, where he attended and graduated high school. After graduation, he was inducted into the United States Navy where he served aboard a L.S.T. as a radioman. After receiving his discharge, he returned to Vivian where he worked for Harvey and Vera Hullinger.

Emmer was united in marriage to Amy Vernon on May 3, 1947, and was the proud father of two sons, Terry Emmer and Ronald LeRoy. He went onto become a grandfather of seven granddaughters and nine great-grandchildren.

Emmer moved his family to Presho where he worked for John Deere and the local elevator. Emmer was hired by the REA and was stationed in Reliance for two years. He moved again in 1956, when he came to Midland as a lineman. He was promoted to area foreman and there he remained until retirement.

He retired in 1989, leaving him free to indulge his two favorite pastimes, working on cars and going fishing. He wanted the kids to share his enthusiasm for the sport so he took them all fishing. He got our twins fishing rods when they were five years old and they loved to go with "Grampa".

He passed his love of cars and his mechanical ability to both his sons. In later years, he and great-grandson, Connor took rides in his pickup and raced the train. He also liked to go to drag races and always had some idea if the car wasn’t running right. He always had time to lend a hand with advice or anything else that was needed.

Emmer belonged to the Legion and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served on the Midland Town Board for twelve years.

He belonged to the historical society of old Stanley County, and spent two years following and finding signs put up by Roy Wiseman. He has the most complete record of signs and what is written on them for the Black and Yellow, Old Deadwood Trail, and various Indian trails, which has been turned over to Eileen Fischer, who has continued the project. He enjoyed doing this and learning about South Dakota history immensely. Emmer was a man of many talents, he was very good at drawing, he entertained the grandkids and great-grandkids by drawing silly pictures of horses, birds, and dogs. For the grandkids, and great-grandkids' birthdays, Amy baked and Emmer decorated the cakes. He was also a seamstress, helping with the quilts for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and the great-nieces and nephews in Oregon. He also designed and sewed a quilt for each of the two Hulce family reunions.

Emmer leaves his wife Amy of fifty-nine years; sons Terry Hulce and wife Mary "Ducie" of Rapid City, and Ronald "Bud" Hulce and his wife Lola of Philip; granddaughters Dodie Heinrich and her husband Fred and their sons Connor and Brennen of Rapid City, Terra Duda and her husband Tim and their daughter Tianna of Rapid City; Amber Pittman and her husband Nate and children Darren and Hannah of Greenwood, Indiana; Jean Hanson and her husband Bill and their daughters Janie and Sara of Pukwana; Kyleen Darrow and friend Shane Leibig and children Kaycee and Tyler of Rapid City; and Brittney and Brianna Hulce of Rapid City; two sisters Alberta Verzani of Presho, and Helen Stracke of Burbank, California; three brothers Dennis Hulce of Chamberlain, Claude Hulce of Sun Valley, California, and Robert Hulce of Waitsburg, Washington. He also leaves sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews; and two special neighbors who will miss his warm comforting hugs, his corny jokes, and his always-ready helping hand.

Emmer was preceded to heaven by his mother May and his father Albert; two brothers Forrest Hulce of Presho, and Walter Hulce of Burbank, California; and one great-grandson Joshua Hanson.

Visitation was held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Saturday.

Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, at the Open Bible Church in Midland, with Pastor Randy Ellendorf officiating.

Interment was in the Midland Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:00 p.m.
Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Randy Ellendorf
MUSIC
"Grandpa Told Me So"
"Beyond The Sunset"
USHERS
Ray Gartner – Greg Arthur
PALLBEARERS
Norman Payne – Doug Johnson
Charles Williams – Wes Jamison
Ronnie Gartner – Larry Neiderworder
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:00 p.m.
Open Bible Church
Midland, South Dakota

  • God Bless you Emmer, you're with God now. Out of pain and free of suffering. My prayers go to you and your family. I love you dearly, you will be greatly missed.

    With much love,
    Abigail, Vick and Betty Vernon     ~ Abigail Vernon 1253 NE Platt (9/27/2006)
  • Amy, I sent a card earlier but found this on the internet so wanted to send another word or two.
    You have been in my thoughts so much and hope you are doing alright.
    I know it is a hard time and I am still struggling to adjust myself. Thank God that I have Suzy still at home. She is such a comfort. You have a wonderful family and I know you draw strength from each other. I guess we should be thankful for the good years...and all the wonderful memories. Hope our paths will cross one of these days and we can talk about old times.
    Edith Schofield and Suzy     ~ Edith Schofield Box 555, Evansville, WY 82636 (9/27/2006)
  • I remember when I came to your house for home health and it was so fun because you both were a joy to be around. Now I work with your granddaughter, Kyleen and she is a great nurse and fun to work with. Our circle gets smaller sometimes. My love and prayers to all the family. Love, Joan ~ Joan Kirchhevel 448 Hauck Ave., Box Elder, SD 57710 (9/27/2006)
  • We're so sorry for your loss. Emmer was a wonderful person and he will be truly missed. ~ Larry & RoseAnn Schulz, Lydia & Kevin Philip, SD (9/27/2006)
  • Emmer was the best man to tella joke, what a hoot. He will be missed by all who knew him. Aunt Amy, we are so sorry for your loss Take care of yourself, Love ya Cliff ~ Cliff and Renee Cressy Sioux Falls, SD (9/27/2006)
  • I am so sorry for your loss. I very much wish I could have been there with you. Emmer was a wonderful person. He is in heaven smiling down on you as he is on his way to go fishing. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Kathy Larson Anamosa, IA (9/27/2006)
  • We wish to express our deepest sympathy to you and your family, 'Aunt Amy. Uncle Emmer was the most happy go lucky guy I have known! You always found him with a smile on his face or a trick up his sleeve! We will miss him dearly , but rejoice in the fact that we will one day see him again.
    We will continue to pray for you and your family.
    God Bless you all. Lovingly, Wally and Carmen     ~ Wally and Carmen Elrod 8352 Saddle Ct., Piedmont, SD 57769 (9/27/2006)
  • Our sympathy to you Amy, Ron and family. Over the years that I got to know Emmer and you Amy it was to help make the special family quilt, or make reunion things with some of my equipment. Emmer would like to tell about what two of you would be doing for that next reunion. It's hard to find the strength to enjoy each day as it comes, but Emmer was a champion at doing that. May your memories be your strength to continue to find each day a pleasure. ~ Marsha and Bill Sumpter Kadoka, SD (9/27/2006)
  • Aunt Amy & Family: Uncle Emmer will so be missed. He brought such a spark and joy into any room he entered! He made quick friends with everyone he came in contact with. He loved his family and his wife more than anything and that was always evident to everyone else. We have some wonderful memories of your visits to Oregon. We love you Aunt Amy and will keep you in our prayers. ~ Paul & LaVerna Morris 309 Burnt Mills Ave., Silver Spring, Maryland (9/27/2006)
  • I will always remember Emmer with a smile on his face and a joke in his heart that was waiting to be told. He will definitely be missed at all of our family gatherings. Amy, my thoughts go out to you and your family at this time. ~ Cammy McGuire and Family Rapid City, SD (9/27/2006)
  • Emmer was a wonderful person and he will be truly missed. While we were living in Midland he treated us like his own children. When we moved to Midland we were young and he took us under his wing and helped us in every way possible to make us comfortable. Justin and I thought the world of Emmer and he will missed by all! Our deepest sympathy goes out to all the family at this sad time.
    Justin, Pam, Sheena and Shane     ~ Justin and Pam Bryan & Family PO Box 34, Oacoma, SD 57365 (9/27/2006)
  • We were so saddened to hear of Emmer's passing. I am convinced that anyone who met him is a better person for having known him!! We'll continue to think of you and pray for you. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~ Dan and Cindy Miller (Cressy) and Family PO Box 480, Piedmont, SD 57769 (9/27/2006)
  • To the Hulce Family, (Ron, Lola, and girls)
    I'm so sorry to hear of your father and grandfather's passing. He was one for the coolest people I had the chance to meet and be around when Amber and Jean were growing up. When Emmer and Amy would come over for gathering at your trailer he always would make us kids laugh I remember one year at Jean's birthday he had all of us girls laughing so hard we were all crying. He well be missed by many. Hold on to all your memories of Emmer they will get you through the rough times ahead. Our prayers go out to all of you at this time and remember we well be thinking of you for days to come. May God Bless you all, Michelle and family.     ~ Michelle, Travis Brenner and Terri Craven 27 Madison St., Apt 1, Rapid City, SD 57701 (9/27/2006)
  • First, our condolences to you, your immediate family and all of the others who will be missing his cheerful outlook on life. We are so thankful that we stopped in Midland to see our old neighbors the last time we were in town. This happened on the same day as I last saw Eddie Arthur, there are some long and special working relationships there that I'll not forget. One of my fondest memories of Emmer is when he and I were pulling wire out of the snow drifts out by the Houston place and I lost him. I eventually figured out that he was so played out that he could not get up and I had to help him just to get him to the truck and home for some much needed rest. Yes, I'd say he was dedicated to his work. We probably cannot make the funeral as we are in the take care of each other mode right now. Jackie is doing better but still has a long row to hoe. ~ George & Jackie Fosheim Murdo, SD 57559 (9/27/2006)
  • I remember when I was a little girl and Terra and Kyleen were down for the summer and we all talked Emmer into building us a lemonade stand-----we had so much fun selling lemonade that summer!! He was a man that was proud of his family and always would have a joke to tell or would lend a hand if need be. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!! God Bless!! Lacy, Blake and Braden ~ Lacy, Blake, and Braden (Fedderson) Puhlman Philip, SD (9/27/2006)