Corvallis – On July 8, 2013, Jennie Huls Read was welcomed home by her savior Jesus.
Jennie was born December 6, 1930, at home in Walkerville, Montana, the only daughter of Martyn and Pearl Richards. She was welcomed into this world by her three older brothers Marty, Jim, and Bill, and later joined her big brothers in welcoming younger brothers Cliff and Phil to the family in Walkerville, where they lived until 1942. The growing Richards family then moved to the Corvallis area, where two more brothers, Tom and Steve, were added.
Jen attended Corvallis Schools and graduated in 1949; that same year she married her high school sweetheart, Dave Huls, and moved to the Huls family home in Corvallis where Dave had been born, the home she lived in for her entire adult life.
Side by side Dave and Jen operated Huls Dairy, and together they raised five children – Dan, Bruce, Tim, Jeff and Julie. Later they owned and operated the Ravalli County Creamery until Dave’s death in 1985. Jennie was a renowned porcelain artist, working with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Kip Zsupnik to establish Artistic Impressions. Jen created heirloom porcelain art which received national recognition.
Jen enjoyed hunting, fishing, and many other outdoor activities with her family. A member of Corvallis Community Church for 70 years, she taught Sunday school and sang in the church choir. She also performed in other musical groups in the valley and was called upon to sing at numerous public and private events, including the community Christmas tree ceremony in Corvallis.
Jen loved her garden, was a magnificent cook, and in her younger years put up all manner of canned goods from the garden.
She was a wonderful sister, mother, grandmother, teacher and mentor, her outreach to people extending far outside her immediate family. She was guided through triumph and tragedy by her extraordinary and absolute faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her faith was a comfort and example to all who came in contact with her.
Jennie was preceded in death by her parents, Martyn and Pearl Richards; brothers Bill, Cliff, and Marty; husbands David Huls, Pete Lilyquist, and Stan Read; daughter Julie (Kip) Zsupnik; and son Bruce (Pat) Huls. She is survived by sons Dan (Joan), Tim (Trudy), and Jeff (Julie), and nephew Chris (Ginny) Hoffman, all of Corvallis; brothers Jim, Phil, Tom, and Steve; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; and many others who knew her fondly as “Grandma Jen” or “Auntie Jen.”
Her life was one truly well lived! All who survive her know that she was greeted by her King with the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Visitation was on Tuesday, July 16 at the Daly-Leach Chapel. Funeral services will be held July 17th at 11:00 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church, 601 W. Main, Hamilton, with interment at Corvallis Cemetery to follow. A reception will then be held at the Corvallis Community Church located on the corner of Church Street and Second Street, just north of the Corvallis Primary School. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Aspen Hospice of Montana or Gideons International. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.