Morris John Hulst was born June 19, 1939 to John and Anna (Skog) Hulst in Roseau, MN. He grew up in Stafford Township and attended country school through 6th grade, then Roseau Public School, graduating in 1957. On June 27, 1964, he married Joan Evans at Salem Church in Malung. He and his dad built the home in Stafford that they have lived in since 1970. He began his career working on roads and bridges with the State Highway Department in 1957. His career continued at the Roseau County Highway Department in 1961, where he retired in 1998 after 37 years. After a short hiatus, Morris returned to the county as a consultant. He was awarded the MN Outstanding Local Government Employee of the Year in 2005 from FEMA for his work after the flood.
Morris was known as the neighborhood handyman and was always willing to help those in need. He could build or fix anything and enjoyed restoring tractors, especially Massey-Harris. Another hobby Morris and Joan enjoyed together was making many rounds of lefse during the holidays. Morris loved playing ball, starting as a catcher for the Stafford Aces for many years. He and Joan loved to listen to the Dodgers on the radio. He passed his love of ball to his kids and grandkids, where hundreds of games of all kinds were played on his perfectly manicured lawn. Morris enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren in their activities and was an avid supporter of the Roseau Rams. His family was his pride and joy.
Morris was a member of the First Baptist Church, where he was an Awana leader, Sunday school secretary, and board member/chairman. He volunteered many hours during the construction of the current church. They rarely missed a Sunday, and his favorite part was greeting everyone.
Morris passed away at his home on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the age of 84. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joan Hulst; children Myrna (Keith) Nelson of Roseau, MN and their children Ryan (Tori) Nelson and their daughter Summer, Heather (Ben) Vatnsdal, and their children Jonas and Greta, and Kyle Nelson; Mark (Jennifer) Hulst of Minnetonka, MN and their sons Sam and Max; Michael (Renee) Hulst of Gig Harbor, WA and their daughters Emma and Sutton; Melanie (Sean) Larson of East Grand Forks, MN and their daughters Alexandra and Anna; and Mary (Chuck) Preteau of Roseau, and their daughters Janna and Karina; sister Lois Olson of Felton, MN; brothers-in-law, Leelan (Joni) Evans, Dennis Olson, and Harley Olson; sisters-in-law Ione (Gary) Olson, Ruth (Pete) Kruse, Jane Evans, Louise (Lorris) Vatnsdal; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and John Hulst, step-father Howard Johnson, infant son and infant daughter, nephew Rick Vatnsdal, great-nephew Jeremy Vatnsdal, sister-in-law Audrey Olson, brother-in-law Sam Evans, parents-in-law Clyde and Lilian Evans.
A funeral service for Morris Hulst will take place on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Roseau at 11:00 am with a visitation an hour prior. A visitation will also take place at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau the night before from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a prayer service starting at 7:00 pm.
Last modified: 06/04/2024
