Clarence H. Hullinger

Clarence H. Hullinger, 96, Murdo, passed away peacefully to his eternal home Tuesday, Dec. 13, at St. Mary's in Pierre with his wife, Anna Marie, and daughter, Vickie, by his side.

Funeral Services were held Monday, Dec. 19, at the Murdo Auditorium with Father Gary Oreshoski officiating. Burial was at Murdo City Cemetery.

Clarence was born on Jan. 25, 1915, in Draper, SD. He was the youngest of four children born to Jasper and Laura (Dodd) Hullinger. The family lived on a farm 15 miles south of Draper. Clarence went to high school in Draper, living alone in a one-room tar paper shack nearby. After graduating, Clarence attended business school in Mitchell, SD. While there he worked in a restaurant, peeling potatoes, washing dishes and scrubbing floors to pay for room and board.

Clarence met Anna Marie Walker of White River at an old country dance in Westover, SD. He enjoyed telling that when he spotted her coming in to the dance hall, he said, "That is the girl I am going to marry." He waited until midnight to ask her to dance and after a two-year courtship, Clarence and Anna Marie were married on Sept. 20, 1937, by a Catholic priest at the Parish house in White River, SD.

Clarence later went through the process to become Roman Catholic, due to Anna Marie's good example. To this 74-year union seven children were born, Richard, Donnie, Barbara, Eileen, Lyn, Vickie and Tim.

Clarence and Anna Marie first lived with Clarence's folks on the farm for about a year. They later rented a small acreage farm with a shack on it that they lived in. Eventually, they purchased some land and cattle.

Clarence saw the need for stock dam building and dirt moving in the early 1940s. Never being afraid to try something new, he went to the Vivian Bank and with their help, bought the heavy equipment. He went to work, asking questions and learning from others. Clarence built many stock dams over those years and also did custom hay cutting with Anna Marie's help. Living in a homemade trailer home, they traveled to where the work was with their young sons, Richard and Donnie.

In 1948, Clarence and Anna Marie moved to Murdo to enroll their boys in school. By 1964, they had five more children and a new business, the Tee Pee Restaurant that they built and operated for 22 years.

Clarence had many interests including boxing (coach and judge) horses, Longhorns, studying the history of the 1800's, attending gun shows and western art shows, collecting Indian artifacts, guns, Calvary and western items, and art. Many of these were on display at the Tee Pee Restaurant.

Clarence was a visionary and as his historical collections grew, so did the idea of putting them to use because of his belief in the importance of preserving history for the youth. So in 1972, Clarence, Anna Marie and son, Richard, started a four decade adventure, collecting and preserving buildings from the 1800s through the 1920s, creating the "1880 Town" 22 miles west of Murdo. An operating Santa Fe Train diner, a "Dances with Wolves" display, Longhorn cattle, and a museum filled with Clarence's treasures are just part of this lifelong project.

Clarence was often seen planning a new project by drawing it out on a napkin. At the age of 86, he designed and built the dinosaur that can be seen along Interstate 90.

Clarence's enthusiasm and love for the 1880 Town continued throughout his life. Well into his 90s he drove over daily to tend to the town. He was fond of all the animals from the kittens to his camel, Otis. Visitors got a special treat if they were fortunate to meet him and hear him tell about the history of the 1880 Town. In recent years, Clarence and Anna Marie enjoyed many rides to the town. It was a joy for anyone who had the pleasure of taking them. You saw and experienced through them a lifetime of love and commitment, partners working together during the good times and the hard times, loving and helping their children throughout their lives, loving and enjoying each other's company as much in the last years as in the first.

Clarence's wish to preserve history was accomplished and all that he collected over the years found a home at the 1880 Town. Preserving "the West that was" and sharing a lifetime of that historical vision for South Dakota's young and old is something that will live on even though he is gone. His star will always shine bright on the western horizon.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, 1 sister, 2 half-brothers, 1 half-sister, 1 grandson, and 1 granddaughter.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Anna Marie; sons, Richard and his wife, Earlene, Donnie and his wife Bonnie, Lyn and Tim; daughters, Barbara and Vickie and Eileen Kotz and her husband, Jim; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandson.

Arrangements were placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.isburgchapels.com.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone for their kindness. The beautiful cards, flowers, memorials, and wonderful words for Clarence have been of great comfort to Anna Marie. Your thoughtfulness and care has given her strength during this difficult time. Thank you all with all our hearts. God Bless.