Dorothy Hulse, a familiar face in area restaurants for many years, passed away peacefully at her home in Colfax on Sunday, November 30, 2025. She was 85. A Memorial Service will be Monday, December 8th, at 2:00 pm at the First Baptist Church in Colfax. Dorothy will be laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery at Steptoe at 1:00 pm.

She was born January 12, 1940 in Lewiston, Idaho to Sylvan and Florence Gentry Hatfield. She moved with her family when she was 16 to Colfax and graduated from high school here. When she was 18 Dorothy married Bob Cook and they started a family together. They had three children; Kim, Becky and Tom. In addition to being busy as a wife and mother; Dorothy worked as a waitress at the 195 Café and for Pete Eng in his restaurant. This was just the beginnings of a lifetime serving customers in the Colfax area with her warm smile and generous spirit. Dorothy and Bob divorced after about 10 years.

She married James "Jay" Hulse after meeting him at the Colfax Coffee Shop and they blended their young family into one. Suddenly Dorothy had eight children and she loved them all as her own. They bought Jays Pancake and Steakhouse in 1974 (where Eddy's is now) and operated that business together for several years. Dorothy even installed a special phone line into the kid's bedroom so when a rush was on at the restaurant, they could call the kids to come help. She loved her customers and feeding the people of Colfax. After about 8 years they had to sell the restaurant due to some health concerns for Jay.

Dorothy continued serving people until she was 79 years old. She worked for several years at Hamilton Drug on Main Street, the Top Notch, later at the CourtYard and in almost every other café in town over the years. She loved spending time with her large family; especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an excellent seamstress and did sewing and mending for people in town.

Dorothy is survived by her children; Kim Hulse of Garfield, Becky Hulse, Colfax, Tom Hulse of Kennewick, Leslie Hulse of Minnesota, Lyla Hulse of Lewiston, Idaho, Bobbi Ross (Malcom) of Moscow, Idaho, Shellie Schluneger (Joe), Colfax, and Cathi Poesy (Rusty) of Potlatch, Idaho; as well as her grandchildren; Gretchen Plitzuweit, Ryan Hulse, Lynnette Reichel, Jacqui Snider, Tracy Madole, Katie Bunnell, Amber Porter, Carlena Schluneger of whom she was so proud; and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Jay in 2019, a grandson Jeremy Schluneger and by four brothers; Roy, Don, Paul, and Larry Hatfield.

The family suggests memorial gifts in her memory be to the First Baptist Church in Colfax. On-line guest book is at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family.