Verienne Emelia Hulse

Verienne Emelia Hulse of Emporia died on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Sunflower Care Home in Emporia. She was 90.

Verienne was born on November 4, 1932, in Bruning, Nebraska, the daughter of Christof and Amelia Eppler Johnson. She married Robert J. Hulse on July 24, 1951, in Bruning, NE. He died on March 19, 2009, in Emporia, Kansas.

Surviving family members include her sons, Jeff (Bilinda) Hulse of Rockport, TX, Tim (Joanie) Hulse of Overland Park, KS, and Rob (Jamie) Hulse of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Susan (dec. Eric) Pedersen of Emporia; Grandchildren, Amy (Mike) Sievert, Kaitlin (Todd) Koelsch, JD Pedersen, Drew (Whitley) Hulse, Nate (Aletha Loeb) Hulse and Trey Hulse; great-grandchildren Elle Sievert, and Hudson Hulse.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, son-in-law Eric Pedersen, siblings Leona Hawks, Dorothy Raines, Vernon Johnson, Ronald Johnson, Gaylord Johnson, Arlene Johnson, and Darlene Messman.

Verienne graduated from Bruning High School, valedictorian of her class. She fondly remembers teaching school in a one-room schoolhouse. They were fortunate to have lived in several states: Nebraska, Illinois, Washington D.C., California (Monterey), Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas, making lifetime friends along the way. This was both due to Bob studying Language and Meteorology for the military or Theology and later due to his ministry.

Before retiring Verienne was a school secretary/bookkeeper for the Emporia and Blue Valley Schools. She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Church Women United, and the Emporia Association of Retired School Personnel. She was the Church Council President when she was in her 80’s! As a Pastor’s wife she took on many supporting roles from helping with secretarial duties, bookkeeping, church choir and other countless duties. She took great pride in her flower gardens and lawn. She had a great love for family and the kids fondly remember the boat and camping trips and camping in Colorado. She loved participating in the lives of her grandkids and great-grandkids and made countless trips to attend sporting events and activities.

Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Life on Monday, July 17, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Visitation precedes the service at 10:00 a.m. and lunch will be provided for family and friends following the service. A private burial will follow lunch at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Emporia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the St. Mark’s Endowment Fund or the Emporia Friends of the Zoo in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.