In loving memory of

Hattie Hulleman
April 5, 1916 - May 9, 2011

Hattie Hulleman, 95, passed away on May 9 in the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center, Newton, after a two-year stay at Heritage Manor, also in Newton.

Hattie was born on April 5, 1916, to Jan and Jennie Van Engelenburg on a farm near Otley, Iowa. On February 17, 1937, she married Marion Hulleman. Hattie was a farm wife for several years. Later, she did seasonal work at PAG and worked at Tyrrell's Coffee Shop in Monroe.

In 1957, Marion and Hattie purchased a small café in Monroe that became the Hulleman Lunch. When Marion died in 1968, Hattie continued to operate the café until 1988. Hattie was well known for her homemade pies, particularly banana cream. She would arrive at the café by 5:00 each morning to bake pies while at the same time preparing breakfast for early customers. It is estimated that she baked more than 30,000 pies in her 31 years in business.

Hattie was preceded in death by her husband Marion, brother John, and sister Helen. She is survived by her sister Eveline Meester of Lincoln, NE, son Harold (Linda) of West Des Moines, daughter Judy (Cecil) Neff of Monroe, four grandsons, and nine great grandchildren. She will also be remembered by five nephews and one niece and their families. She will be missed by all.

The funeral will be on Wednesday, May 11, at 10:30 in the morning at the Monroe Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Following the burial, lunch and family visitation will be at the Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Monroe Presbyterian Church or the Hospice of Jasper County. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.


Tributes

Shirley Lapour wrote on May 11, 2011:

"Judy, Harold and families, So sorry for your loss. We are never ready, even though we expect it to happen. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. My thoughts and memories of your mother goes back many years. I have fond memories of the Hulleman Lunch. I enjoyed visiting with her the last couple years at the nursing home. She was always glad to see me and ready to visit. God Bless"

Kathy {Nimmo} Webster wrote on May 10, 2011:

"My prayers and thoughts go out to the family. Hattie was my Mother's best friend. Like so many other young ladies in town, Hattie was my first employer also. Her food and rapport with all the customers made Hulleman's the best place in town. Our parents even took us there for their wedding anniversary every year. As this was quite a treat to us,never could figure out why they didn't go somewhere by themselves! I know up in Heaven there is a great card game getting ready to start:the rest were just waiting patiently for the remaining member to arrive."

Lila(Terlouw) Berger wrote on May 10, 2011:

"There isn't enough room here to pay tribute to Hattie, my first employer. She was one of the sweetest ladies I've ever met, but even more than that- one of the hardest working. The hours she put in at Hulleman Lunch were daunting. I remember when I would start my shift, we'd work the lunchtime, then she'd go home for a very brief nap and return to finish the day. I think of her often and was thankful that she gave so many young ladies like me the chance to have a job. She had a great personality and the customers and I loved her. Her pies were delicious as was her homemade chicken and noodles. Even her french fries had a secret twist to them! People stopped by because her food was delicious, but also because they wanted to do business with a great person. I remember the large crowds we'd get when the farmers brought their workers in as a group during busy harvest time. Hattie taught me to remember what each customer liked(like Ulrie Clevenger only wanting one slice of bread with his meal). Sometimes she'd let me take an "old" piece of pie home for my dad! She always posted pictures of us girls in the restaurant to show the ones who had worked for her through the years. It is my privilege to say I was one of them. My condolences to Judy and the family. I will miss her!"

Janie (Hopkins) Taylor wrote on May 10, 2011:

"Hulleman's....my dad's favorite place to eat pie!! It was so close and convenient to our house on Zickel Street...such good memories and good people. I'm sorry for your loss."

Wade Sheeler wrote on May 10, 2011:

"Hattie was a wonderful cook. I will always remember those home cooked meals at Hulleman Lunch...especially the wonderful pies. Another thing I will remember is seeing her come to the Browns for the Saturday night card games with the Hullemans, Nimmos, and Browns. She was a wonderful lady and a Monroe icon!"

Shirley Lapour wrote on May 10, 2011:

"Dear Judy, Harold and families, My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am sorry to hear of your loss. Even though we try to prepare we are never ready. My memories of your mother goes back many years. I also enjoyed visiting with her at the nursing home the last two years. She will be remembered by many with the Hulleman Lunch and good food."

Jan (Cowman) Miller wrote on May 10, 2011:

"Judy, Cecil, and family - I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. The following Bible verse may be a comfort to you: "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust in Him." Nahum 1:7 "

Tim and Bev Rinehart wrote on May 9, 2011:

"So many good memories of your mom, when our parents played cards on Saturday nights, working with Hattie at Maidrite!! I could go on forever but want you to know we are thinking about all of you at this very difficult time."

Dennis and Linda Kane wrote on May 9, 2011:

"Judy and Cecil Sorry to hear of your loss, our prayers and symphonys are with you. "

DeAnn Parish Johnson wrote on May 9, 2011:

"Hattie was my first employer. She always knew how to handle the wise crack comments the gentlmen (Van Veen Boys) would give her every Saturday AM. "