Kelly Hulke

Kelly Rose Hulke was born in Minneapolis on March 4, 1959, to Russel and Marian Ottoson, and was raised as a Navy daughter in Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, settling in Minnesota when her father retired in 1975. She graduated from Pine River High School in 1977, later attending the Minneapolis Institute of Art until she married Gerald Hulke. She would acquire her LPN degree, then her RN degree, and would go on to attend the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth to get her master’s degree in social work. 

Kelly worked at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd for many years and was also a social worker at the Foothills Christian Academy in Backus where she retired. Kelly enjoyed painting, crocheting, and yard work. She loved her family—especially her grandchildren, whom she adored and spoiled often—and, of course, her daughters, with whom she loved spending time with and laughing together.

Kelly is survived by her daughters, Amber (Blair) Ecker, Heather (Ryan Kline) Hulke, April (Dylan) Rice, and Hannah (Andy) Moengen; 12 grandchildren, Aero, Harper, Alaina, Reagan, Sarah, Ella, Ryen, Luke, Clairah, Norah, Logan, and Vedah; siblings, Allison Rosenquist and Eleanor Ottoson; and aunt, Carol Ottoson.

Kelly is preceded by her parents; ex-husband, Gerald Hulke; two grandchildren, Benjamin and David; sister, Donna Johnson; and uncles, Tom and Terry Ottoson.

A memorial service for Kelly will be held at 11 AM on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Pine Mountain Gospel Church in Backus, with visitation the hour prior to the service.