Hull, Annetta Ruth

Annetta Ruth Hull, 94, went home to the Lord on Monday, Nov. 19, 2012, at Mercy Iowa City. Visitation will be held on Friday, Dec. 7, from 3 to 7 p.m., and funeral services on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 10:30 a.m. at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her memory to Iowa City Hospice, Sutliff Bridge Foundation or a memorial of the families' choice.

Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

She was born Annetta Ruth Worden on Aug. 18, 1918, in Creston, Iowa. Annetta was the only child of Earl Spencer Worden and Ruth Olive Jones. She lost her mother at the age of 12 and was raised by her maternal grandparents, Oliver and Sadie Matilda (Evans) Jones in Creston. She graduated from Creston High School in 1937. She was a bookkeeper at a Creston auto parts store. She married Harry Franklin Willey Jr. in 1939; they had three children and later divorced.

Annetta moved to Iowa City, where she married Everett H. “Shorty” Hull on May 19, 1945. They had five children together. Shorty died in May 1992 after 47 years of marriage.

Annetta was active in various organizations and served as officer in many clubs: the Grant Wood PTA, Girl Scout troop leader, East Lucas Women's Club, Iowa City Women's Club, Federated Women's Club, Iowa City Orchid Club, Four Seasons Garden Club, and Project Green. She won many honors and ribbons for her floral arrangements. Annetta donated many hours to the Four Season's fall floral sale every year.

Annetta and Shorty lived on Sand Road, where they grew and sold vegetables on Sandy Acres Truck Farm for 40 years. She loved the outdoors and all nature had to offer. Their trees, vegetable gardens, and flower beds were her passion. She loved the animals and birds that were attracted to the farm and would often sit outside to watch and talk with them.

She was constantly looking out for and helping the family she loved so much and she will be painfully missed by all of them. She was a great cook and often cooked in the taverns she and Shorty owned through the years. She loved fried chicken, lobster, goulash, pork and bean sandwiches and mostly, she loved chocolate and coffee. She spent many late hours, working tirelessly, for her husband and children sewing, canning, freezing game and making Christmas gifts.

Her quick wit, great sense of humor and her many one liners will be missed by all and quoted by many.

She is survived by her seven children: Harry A. Willey, Heath, Ohio; Carolann R. Willey (Laura Crockett) Ewalt, Wellman; Marcia R. (Melvin) Jenn, Iowa City; Earl E. (Linda) Hull, Iowa City; Louie H. Hull, Lago de Arenal, Costa Rica; Charolette M. (Don Fabian) Hull, Iowa City; Robert (deceased); Tanya D. (Jesse) Wright, Cedar Rapids; 20 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; two great- great-grandchildren; and a special lady to the family, Joan Willey, Iowa City.

Annetta was preceded in death by her husband, her grandparents, her parents, her stepmother, an infant son, an infant granddaughter and an infant great- granddaughter.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Legacy Gardens, especially Jessica, Megan, Tammy, Amy, Janice, Jim and Scott for their compassionate care of Annetta the last 2 1/2 years.

As she would frequently say, “One for the money, two for the show,” so we add to her rhyme “The Lord called you home and away you must go.” We will love you forever and will join you when it is our time. Rest in peace, Mom.

Published Nov. 26, 2012 in The Gazette