Ernest Joe Hulsebus
January 11, 1954 — October 17, 2023
A private family service will be held at a later date.
Ernie Hulsebus, age 69 of Denison Iowa passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, after a battle with colon cancer.
Ernest Joe Hulsebus was born on January 11, 1954, in Denison, Iowa to Gerald and Mary (Miller) Hulsebus. Ernie was the youngest of four children. After graduating from Denison High School, Ernie started his lifelong career as a mechanic. He worked for a few different businesses eventually working at Hulsebus Repair with his brother Jerry and father Gerald on the family farm outside Denison.
Ernie had lots of hobbies to occupy his time. Stock Car Racing was a passion, and he was able to race his own stock car sponsored by Hulsebus Repair. He had lots of fun racing in Denison and always wished he could have afforded to do more. One hobby that his nieces never knew about was a 300 plus collection of vinyl records including jazz, rock, and pop. Ernie had fantastic taste in music and told stories about all of the concerts he attended in his earlier years. Another hobby was building and repairing his 1923 Ford T-bucket and 1964 Pontiac Lemans. He spent countless hours working to perfect these 2 cars. He talked about the heads that would turn when he drove his bright yellow T-bucket around town. Also, a surprise was Ernie’s talent playing the electric guitar.
Ernie was most appreciated for taking care of Mary and Gerald in their home so they could avoid living in a nursing home for many years. Ernie did this care pausing his own dreams of getting married and having kids. He often spoke about having children of his own, one of his biggest desires. Although this didn’t happen, he did make some great connections with his nieces and nephews, especially in his last summer. Passing down these hobbies and treasures brought Ernie great happiness.
Ernie was known for a great memory and the ability to recall many remote events. This memory often resulted in some great, albeit long, phone calls.
Ernie was very clear on keeping his illness private and did not tell many people at all. While this might be upsetting to those just finding out, we felt that it was our job to honor that wish.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Hulsebus, and brothers Jerry and Terry Hulsebus.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sister Janet Miller of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Bev Hulsebus; Nieces and Nephews Mary Jo Miller, Dave Miller, Jenny (Kelly) Lefeber, Sherry (Peter) McGrath, Joey (Brian) Lasher, and Shelly Hulsebus; great nieces Emily, Abby, and Alex; great nephews Kelby, Kaden, Sean, Will, and Michael; special cousin Rodney Petersen; good friend Mike Pollock and many other friends and family.
The family of Ernie Hulsebus requests that notes of sympathy be sent to
Jennifer Lefeber
970 Oak Rd
Harlan, IA 51537
Ernie Hulsebus, age 69 of Denison Iowa passed away at his home on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, after a battle with colon cancer.
Ernest Joe Hulsebus was born on January 11, 1954, in Denison, Iowa to Gerald and Mary (Miller) Hulsebus. Ernie was the youngest of four children. After graduating from Denison High School, Ernie started his lifelong career as a mechanic. He worked for a few different businesses eventually working at Hulsebus Repair with his brother Jerry and father Gerald on the family farm outside Denison.
Ernie had lots of hobbies to occupy his time. Stock Car Racing was a passion, and he was able to race his own stock car sponsored by Hulsebus Repair. He had lots of fun racing in Denison and always wished he could have afforded to do more. One hobby that his nieces never knew about was a 300 plus collection of vinyl records including jazz, rock, and pop. Ernie had fantastic taste in music and told stories about all of the concerts he attended in his earlier years. Another hobby was building and repairing his 1923 Ford T-bucket and 1964 Pontiac Lemans. He spent countless hours working to perfect these 2 cars. He talked about the heads that would turn when he drove his bright yellow T-bucket around town. Also, a surprise was Ernie’s talent playing the electric guitar.
Ernie was most appreciated for taking care of Mary and Gerald in their home so they could avoid living in a nursing home for many years. Ernie did this care pausing his own dreams of getting married and having kids. He often spoke about having children of his own, one of his biggest desires. Although this didn’t happen, he did make some great connections with his nieces and nephews, especially in his last summer. Passing down these hobbies and treasures brought Ernie great happiness.
Ernie was known for a great memory and the ability to recall many remote events. This memory often resulted in some great, albeit long, phone calls.
Ernie was very clear on keeping his illness private and did not tell many people at all. While this might be upsetting to those just finding out, we felt that it was our job to honor that wish.
Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Hulsebus, and brothers Jerry and Terry Hulsebus.
Those left to cherish his memory are his sister Janet Miller of Lincoln, NE; sister-in-law Bev Hulsebus; Nieces and Nephews Mary Jo Miller, Dave Miller, Jenny (Kelly) Lefeber, Sherry (Peter) McGrath, Joey (Brian) Lasher, and Shelly Hulsebus; great nieces Emily, Abby, and Alex; great nephews Kelby, Kaden, Sean, Will, and Michael; special cousin Rodney Petersen; good friend Mike Pollock and many other friends and family.
The family of Ernie Hulsebus requests that notes of sympathy be sent to
Jennifer Lefeber
970 Oak Rd
Harlan, IA 51537
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