Hulda Hudson

Hulda was born in the Northwestern part of Iceland on August 21, 1922. She died in Purcell, Oklahoma on May 1, 2020. Her parents were Erlendur Thorvaldsson, a farmer and Stefanía Guðmundsdóttir, a midwife. Hulda's siblings: Ingibjörg Erlendsdóttir, Solomon G. Erlendsson, and Erlendur Jónsson. In Iceland, the children's last name is their father's first name followed by "son" or "dóttir" and does not change after marriage. Hulda married Jack Hudson, an architect, Hulda and Jack had 3 sons: John and spouse Anita and daughter, Kirsten. Richard and spouse Patricia, and daughter, Ryki and son, Glendon. 3) Rex spouse Michelle and daughter, Lauren. Hulda grew up in the North Country of Iceland and went to school at Reykir and graduated from there. After school she lived with her aunt and her husband in Reykjavík, where she worked as a seamstress during the war years. While attending a USO dance in Reykjavik she met Jack Hudson, a US Army officer. After Jack and Hulda became engaged, Jack was transferred to France to support the war effort. Before he left, Hulda gave Jack an ID Bracelet. She had "Hands Off - He's Mine" engraved on the back. When Jack was reassigned to military duty in France, Hulda decided to move to the United States to wait for him there. Mustering all the strength and courage she could, Hulda boarded the ship and set out for the United States all by herself to be met by her future father-in-law, a man she had never met. Jack's father came to New York City and picked her up from the ship. Hulda loved to tell about her future father-in-law taking her to a fine shop to dress her up before going home. He was not going to present her in her Icelandic attire. Hulda and Jack were married when he returned to America on November 25, 1945. She and Jack lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was a homemaker and was a caring mother for her sons. She later enjoyed becoming a grandmother. When the children were still young and dealing with a son's medical condition requiring surgery, a family physician asked another family that had faced a similar surgery to speak with Jack and Hulda. It turned out the wife was also from Iceland and although they did not know each other, had grown up only a few miles apart. Hulda and Sissa became instant friends as did their spouses. Hulda was very active in the congregational work at Trinity Episcopal Church, working in their Thrift Store and delivering food to shut-in's through "Meals on Wheels." To her, such a job was no obligation, on the contrary, it was her joy. She and Jack also enjoyed playing "Bridge." Jack and his family owned a cabin that they stayed in as much as possible. As customary in America, the owners had an association in which they participated. Hulda and Jack enjoyed travelling. They were very fond of cruises and traveling to Europe. Jack and Hulda also loved to dance and visit with the band members. They were regulars at dance clubs. After Jack passed, Hulda looked for new activities. Hulda joined a couple of bridge groups and she developed many close friends. She continued traveling and going on cruises. She also picked up line dancing at the Senior Center. Her favorite music to dance to was "Cotton-Eyed Joe." Another activity she participated in was Senior Olympics. Her event of choice was "Race Walking" and if you ever tried to keep up with her, you'd know why. Hulda received Gold, Silver and Bronze Metals from the Oklahoma Senior Olympics. She represented Oklahoma for her age group at the National Senior Olympics in New Orleans. Hulda was proud of her nationality, ancestry and origin and told her descendants about them. They have continued to keep in touch with her motherland. She left a legacy that will always be endearing to them. Memorial Services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Wilson-Little Funeral Home, Purcell, OK.

Hulda Hudson

August 21, 1922 - May 1, 2020