Our family hero, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Merrill Weaver Hulse, 104, of Grace, Idaho passed away on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Edgewood Living Center in Soda Springs with family by his bedside.

Merrill was born on December 13, 1916 in Bench. Idaho to George Weaver Hulse and Pearl Rosella Sorenson.  He was a whopping 13 pound baby welcomed by 3 older sisters who adored him.  He then got a younger brother and sister.

Growing up in the Bench and Lago area was filled with fun adventures and lots of hard work.   He loved going for a ride down through that valley, pointing out the corner where he was born, the trees that he helped his Dad plant or the best sledding hills.

Merrill attended schools in the Grace area, graduating from Grace High School in 1935 where he served as the student body president his senior year.  He was an excellent basketball player.  He also loved fishing and hunting.

It was at Grace High that a pretty girl from Central named Blanche Christensen caught his eye.  These high school sweethearts were married in the Salt Lake Temple on November 7, 1935.

Merrill and Blanche lived in the Grace area most of their married lives.  They lived in San Diego, California during WWII where Merrill worked building B24 bombers.  After the war they returned to Idaho and Merrill started farming which is what he always wanted to do.  He also worked for Monsanto in Soda Springs for 18 years and made many lifelong friendships there.  After he retired, Merrill and Blanche spent 10 years "snow birding" in the St. George area and enjoyed this very much.

Merrill was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Grace 3rd Ward.  He served in many ward and stake callings throughout his life.  He was a faithful home teacher into his 90s.  Dad and Mom also served as officiators in the Logan Utah Temple for several years and loved this so much.

Merrill had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in the Valley Quartet for many years.  He was the last surviving member of this group.  Merrill and Blanche also sang duets at many weddings and funerals over the years.  He once said he had just about seen everyone married or buried in the valley.

Merrill loved sports of all kinds.  He had a great left-handed pitching arm and played a lot of baseball.  He took up golf after retirement and enjoyed this so much.  He scored a hole-in-one at the age of 93.  Failing eyesight forced him to have to give up golfing at the age of 102.  Merrill also enjoyed wood working and made many pieces of furniture for family and friends.

Dad was a friend to all and would help anyone at anytime.  He never complained and was so positive and fun to be around.  His quick wit remained sharp until his passing.  As the effects of advancing age began to catch up with him, Merrill was blessed by an angel named Diane Spencer who helped him be able to stay in his home until last month.  Her love and devotion to our Dad has been a great blessing for all of us.

Merrill is survived by one son, Joseph Hulse (Linda) of Soda Springs, Idaho and two daughters, Marie Murray of Syracuse, Utah and Marilyn Hurt (Brock) of Plain City, Utah; also a daughter-in-law Diane Roberts of Grace.  He has a great posterity in 15 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, 19 great-great grandchildren and 2 great-great-great grandchildren.  6 generations!

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart Blanche, a son Mark Hulse, son-in-law Craig Murray, 1 grandchild, 5 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.  His only brother Grant and 4 sisters, Georgia, Wanda, Mary and Ruth also welcomed him home.

The family would like to thank the nurses at Encompass Hospice for their tender care and friendship these past months. Your care enriched his life.  Also thank you to the staff of Edgewood Assisted Living for your kindness and care over this past month.  Your kindness to our family these past few days will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 3, 2021 at the Thatcher/Williams Ward building in Niter, Idaho.  Family will visit with friends on Thursday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the church with funeral services following at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please go play a round of golf in his memory.

Burial will be at the Grace Cemetery.

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