Nancy Adams (Johnston) Hulbert

Nancy Johnston Adams Hulbert, 86, of Deer River, MN, died on October 26, 2025, in Cohasset, MN. Visitation will be at Carroll Funeral Home in Deer River, MN, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM, followed by the service at 12:00 PM. The family invites you to continue celebrating Nancy’s life with stories, hors d’oeuvres, and pizza at 1:00 PM, at Blueberry Bowl in Deer River, and a toast to Nancy at the Vets Club after 5:00 PM. There will be a private family committal at a later date.

Nancy was born in Long Beach, CA, on September 21, 1939, to Margaret (Linn) and James Johnston. She graduated from Santa Ana High School and cosmetology school. Nancy met her first husband, Dean Adams, while he was serving in the US Marine Corp in San Diego, and they married April 20, 1957. Together they raised four daughters: Linnette, April, Janet, and Robin in Fullerton, CA. They moved to Minnesota, landing in Wirt and Dora Lake in 1974. They spent a short time in Grand Forks in 1975 and ultimately settled in Deer River in 1976.

Nancy worked for ISD 317 in the district office in Deer River as the superintendent’s administrative assistant and the payroll and benefits specialist for 29 years, retiring in 2002. After retirement she continued to serve on the school board and was active in the Veteran’s Club Auxiliary. She married Robert Hulbert of Deer River in 1996 and was warmly welcomed into his family.

Nancy lived her life with class, style, and professionalism. Nancy spent many years attending church, leading children’s choirs, singing in the choir, and was active in several community service organizations. She enthusiastically cheered on her girls and grandchildren at their sporting events, took her work very seriously, and always dressed to impress. Nancy delighted in the simple things in life: the first flowers of spring, a boat ride on the lake, soaking in the sunshine, dining out, traveling, dancing to live music, and socializing over a cocktail. Nancy was a second mother and grandmother to many people, fiercely loyal to those she loved, always knitting a blanket, and a great cook.

Preceding Nancy in death are her parents James and Margaret; siblings Sandra and Gary; her first husband Dean Adams and second husband Robert Hulbert; daughter Linnette Gunther Davidson; grandchildren Alexander Davidson and Haley Courrier, and sons-in-law Rick Deutsch and Gerald Davidson.

Nancy is survived by her daughters April (Bill) Wendt, Janet (Rick) Deutsch, Robin (Chad) Courrier; grandchildren Sandy (Gunther) Peace, James Gunther, Lacey Davidson (Tom Gick), Mariesa Wendt, Rick (Melissa) Deutsch, Rebecca (Billy) Boucher, Andrea (Brandon) Grugel, Diana Deutsch (Matt Kluthe), Maddison (Bart) Jongejans, and Jenna Courrier; and six great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters. Nancy is also survived by Bob Hulbert’s children Marian, Jim, Marsha, Jeff, and Cheryl and their children and grandchildren, as well as extended Adams family relatives.

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