Richard Patrick Hulne

Richard "Rick" Patrick Hulne, age 80, of Wolverton, MN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND. Visitation will be held at 5 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN, with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Kent, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Father Leo Moenkedick will be officiating the services. Burial will be held in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Kent. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home.

Richard was born on March 17, 1943, in Breckenridge, MN, to Joseph and Helen (Fleming) Hulne. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school through the 8^th grade. After graduating from Breckenridge High School in 1961, Richard enlisted in the United States Army. He proudly served his country for three years and was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas and overseas in Germany multiple times. One of the most notable experiences of his military service was being among the first group tasked with tearing down the Berlin Wall in the 1960s. His involvement with this historic event holds a special place in history despite the wall being rebuilt several times before its final fall in 1989. Upon returning from his military service, Richard joined his father on the family farm. Together, they worked tirelessly, nurturing the land and growing their crops. The Hulne farm flourished under their care and became a cherished part of their family's legacy.

Richard's marriage to Rose Anne Underberg on July 3, 1965, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Kent, MN, was a bond that endured for 58 beautiful years. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. In 1990, Richard received a four-year degree in Marine Technology from Detroit Lakes Technical College. In 1992, after years of hard work and dedication to farming, Richard made the decision to retire from agricultural operations.  However, retirement did not slow him down as he began a new chapter working with Simonson Marine on Pelican Lake, MN for a few years before completely retiring at the age of 55.         

Richard was a man of many talents and interests; his green thumb led him to enjoy gardening and starting garden plants in his hobby greenhouse where he tenderly nurtured plants into vibrant life. Additionally, he had a knack for woodworking and created beautiful pieces that will forever serve as treasured heirlooms within his family. From shelves to rocking horses, cabinets to cradles, Richard's craftsmanship brought joy to his daughters and grandchildren. It is impossible to speak of Richard without mentioning the profound love he had for his family. As a father, he raised his daughters with unwavering guidance and taught them valuable lessons about hard work and perseverance. Richard made sure his daughters had ample opportunities to experience childhood adventures, from operating motorcycles and go-karts to snowmobiling and riding three-wheelers. He instilled in them a resilience and fearlessness that would carry them through life.    

Richard loved time spent with his family. Fabulous memories were created during family trips, regular visits to Otter Tail Lake, and especially a treasured family vacation to Ireland. He was amazed at the relaxing atmosphere surrounding the local pubs and the family ensured a special stop at Pat Cohan’s Pub where Richard’s favorite movie, “The Quiet Man,” was filmed.