Harlan Howard Hulce, age 88 years, died November 4, 2018 at the Booker Rest Home. He was a 70-year resident of Waitsburg.

He was born in a farmhouse near Vivian, South Dakota on April 8, 1930. His parents were John Arthur and Irene Harlan Hulce. He attended country elementary school and Murdo, South Dakota High School.

Harlan came to Waitsburg with his family and helped build the motel on Coppei Street. He married Patricia (Tish) DeVaney on October 3, 1952, in a ceremony held in Waitsburg. They moved to South Dakota where he farmed for three years before returning to Waitsburg. He got into construction and was involved with several projects including the Waitsburg Resturant, and the grade school. He also was known for his machining and fabricating skills at the Green Giant plant. He was employed for 53 years with the plant, which became Smith Frozen Foods and before that, Pic Sweet Foods. His skills also included making an aerial Drop Marker machine for spray planes. Another post retirement project was building a recreational barge for hunting and fishing. The whole family enjoyed trips to the Snake River. His cooking was well appreciated, especially fish frys and rocky mountain oysters. His family was his life; camping and hunting trips to the Wenaha back country was a family affair that he really enjoyed. Getting his boys out of bed at 3 a.m. sometimes required pulling them from their bunks by their heels. Watching for game started when leaving town and when they were tall enough to reach the pedals, they sometimes drove so he could watch. He was a volunteer for Waitsburg Fire Dept. for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Tish) at their home. One daughter and son-in-law, Chrissy and Mike Talbott of Dayton; two sons and daughters in law: Tony and Barbara Hulce and Tim and Tonya Hulce of Waitsburg; two sisters: Merideth Huwe of Waitsburg and Dallas Uthe of Presho, SD; a brother Clark Hulce of Albuquerque, NM.; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Irene Hulce; brothers in law, Pete Huwe and Harold Uthe.

Memorial services will be 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday, November 17, 2018, at the Lions Club Hall, Waitsburg Fairgrounds. Those who wish may contribute to the charity of the donor's choice through Hubbard-Rogg Funeral Home, 111 S. 2nd St. Dayton, WA 99328.