Richard Gail Hulse, 88, passed away Sept. 8, 2026, at Kansas Christian Home, in Newton, Kan. He was born Dec. 27, 1937, in Marquette, to Dalton and Edna (Nelson) Hulse. Gail married Karmen Rush; their union was blessed with three children before ending in divorce.
Gail married Joan Kay Smith April 18, 1973, in Great Bend where they made their life and legacy. He worked as a meat cutter at Safeway Grocery then moved to Thies Packing. He changed careers and worked as a UPS driver for many years before retiring in 1997. Gail and Kay were faithful members of Trinity Lutheran Church where they served many roles. He was very social and made it a point to meet with his friends at Braums and Burger King for coffee before starting the day’s tasks. He loved fishing and camping, enjoying the great outdoors and the time spent making memories with family and friends. He was a Good Sam’s board member and enjoyed playing cards at the Knights of Columbus. Gail took pride in his Swedish heritage.
Survivors include his treasured wife of 53 years, Kay Hulse; son, Galen Hulse of Larned; daughters, Holly Cunningham (Dennis) of Waynoka, Okla., and Leslie Henry of Amarillo, Texas; stepdaughter, Tonna Thomas (Chad Betts) of Newton; sister, Carol Ann Terry of Salina; grandchildren, Corey, Melissa, Vanessa, Shawn, Jarrod, Tomeka, Roper, Lakin, Josh, Ronda, Ronnie Jr., and Dallas; many great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and his faithful Shih Tzu companion, Husker. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Clark McEachern; brother, Gerald Hulse; son-in-law, Ronnie Henry; and brother-in-law, Lee Terry.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, at Bryant Funeral Home, with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Inurnment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Memorials have been designated to the Great Bend Senior Center to benefit their flooring project, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 3, 2026
