ANSELM JAMES HULL obituary

CHESTER - Anselm James Hull, 89, died Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Liberty County Nursing Home in Chester of natural causes.

Rosary prayers will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday

at the church. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery.

James was born Nov. 19, 1915, on the family farm four miles north of Chester to Anselm Joseph Hull and Mary Ann Friel. From 1921-1926, the Hull family lived near Lewistown where James received his early education at a country school. When they returned to the Chester community in 1926, James finished his schooling at the Grauman School near the farm. They raised sheep in those early years, so James spent many hours herding and lambing. They eventually got out of the sheep business and went exclusively to cattle and farming.

James and his two older brothers, Michael and Raphael, took over the farm and ranch operations and successfully maintained a good working relationship for more than 40 years.

James remained a bachelor into his 50s. In 1973, Marcella (Koenig) Gagnon, a friend who was recently widowed, asked James to be her square-dancing partner. Their relationship flourished and they were married in Chester on June 14, 1975. They made their home on Marcella's farm south of Chester from that time on. James continued to farm his own place north of town until his retirement in 1978.

James was a life member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus in Chester. He was extremely loyal to his faith; he and Marcella prayed the Rosary together every day.

James and Marcella enjoyed square dancing, round dancing, and RV camping. They were members of the Good Sams, and they took many memorable trips, including trips to Alaska, the Black Hills and the Calgary Stampede.

In his early years, James enjoyed many hobbies. He loved to fish in his boat at Tiber Lake. He also enjoyed hunting and had his trusty .22 rifle with him at all times. He liked to bowl and won several trophies in various bowling tournaments around the state. In addition, he loved to watch or attend rodeos.

In his later years, James continued to stay busy, either working in his yard or tinkering in his shop. In his quiet time at home, he enjoyed reading newspapers or watching his favorite television programs, like "The Price is Right" and "The Lawrence Welk Show." James also enjoyed smoking sausage or beef jerky.

James maintained a wonderful memory over the years. He could share special events and dates of times gone by. In addition he could recite poetry and verses that he had learned in his youth. He enjoyed good food and his tastebuds craved everything from limburger cheese to lemon meringue pie.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Michael and Raphael Hull; sisters, Sister Mary Louise Hull, Nora Hemmer, Genevieve Gagnon, Susanna Nickol and Patricia Schaller.

Survivors include his wife of 29 years, Marcella Hull of Chester; stepson, Lee Gagnon of the Special K Ranch in Columbus; sister, Sister Marleen Hull of Spokane, Wash.; brother-in-law, Ernest Gagnon of Chester; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Hull of Chester and Irene Belusko of Portland, Ore.; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorials can be given to the Special K Ranch in Columbus, the "window fund" at St. Mary's Church or a donor's choice.

Arrangements by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.