Darlene R. Judd, 90

Darlene went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 12, 2026. She was born July 6, 1936, in Spokane, Wash., to Lee & Chlora Hulsizer. Our loving mother, grandmother (Mee Mee), great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to so many passed away peacefully at her home due to acute heart failure, with her family at her bedside.

Darlene graduated from Fairfield H.S., in Fairfield, Wash., in 1954 with a class size of 20 seniors. During those years, she was recognized by her superintendent & several teachers as a future teacher. These wonderful people believed in Darlene’s potential and repeatedly called her to substitute for other elementary school teachers when they needed to attend workshops in Spokane.

After graduation, she worked at CDA Lake Resort, Conklin Park. She then decided to start college at Eastern Washington State College of Education. As a sophomore, Darlene was selected for Tawanka in recognition of her outstanding academic achievement and was an EWC Tawanka honorary member, where she maintained school traditions, fostered school spirit and promoted interest in school activities. She was also selected for the Golden Circle for service, scholarship and integrity. Only 12 upper-class women composed the Golden Circle, which was one of the highest honors a co-ed could receive.

Darlene became the first “Bachelorette” in 1957, an honor that was formed from a newly formed Bachelors Club. The Bachelors Club bestowed the title of “Bachelorette” on a deserving co-ed each quarter & treated her as royalty for 3 months. During her title as first “Bachelorette,” she met her late husband Ken K. Judd, who was a member of the Bachelors Club, during a bowling outing.

Darlene was the first of her family to attend college and graduated from Eastern with a BA in Education in 1958. Darlene married Ken on Dec. 20, 1958, and shared more than 62 years together before his passing in March 2021. They both raised two independent, active and resourceful daughters, Tina and Teri. Darlene loved them unconditionally and supported them by attending all their sporting events & school activities.

In 1958, Darlene began her teaching career at Hutton and Arlington Elementary. In 1966, she moved up a grade level to teach Language Arts at Shaw Junior High for another 12 years. Darlene believed in hands-on education. As an ASB advisor, she developed a mock national election for her students, including actual voting booths brought in from the county. In 1972, she was awarded the National Merit for Innovative Teaching in Geography. In 1972, Darlene received her master's degree in higher education from Whitworth University. In May 1978, she received the Pi Lambda Theta National Honor Society in Education. Also in 1978, upon leaving the classroom for a two-year stint as an ITIP Trainer in Staff Development, Darlene received one of the highest compliments a teacher could receive. One of her students' parents declared, “I’m sorry you're leaving the classroom,” and another said, “You've always got the kids to achieve far more than they thought they could.” In 1980, Darlene’s career took an interesting turn when she became the Language Arts K-12 Spokane Schools Curriculum Coordinator for District 81, where she stayed true to the job description, which, in typical small-print fashion, cleverly read, “and other duties as assigned.” Her life’s work included Middle School Task Force Study, Equity, K-6 Social Studies review and adoption (the most memorable part being maps and globes) and a job no one should forget: many years of District 81 Spelling Bee Events. Always on the cutting edge, Darlene began discussing integration before it became a national buzzword and promoted collegiality among staff members. This also included direct writing assessments for Spokane Public Schools.

Throughout the years, the family moved to several locations from Stevens Drive to their newly built home in Colbert, Wash., with enough land for the girls to have horses and a swimming pool. They built a second home in 1990 on the 18th fairway of Twin Lakes Golf Course in Rathdrum, Idaho.

Darlene retired in June 1991 after 33 years of dedicated education. Darlene’s hobbies included many hours of crocheting and cross-stitching, and she was a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan from the very start of the franchise. She also enjoyed several years in a women’s sewing club, where they shared stories & blessings. She was a member of the Twin Lake Village Women’s 18-Hole Golf Association. In 1999, she was elected president of the club. Darlene was also a member of His Place Church in Post Falls, Idaho.

After retirement, Ken and Darlene traveled extensively. Most trips were experienced via cruise ship: Australia, Moscow, Russia, New Zealand, Panama Canal, Caribbean Islands, Scandinavia, Berlin, St. Petersburg, the Antiquities of Greece, Turkey, Israel and Egypt. She really enjoyed Beijing, China (The Great Tomb), traveling across the United States & several European Countries. When they weren’t traveling, they enjoyed watching and supporting their four grandchildren’s sporting events. In 2017, they downsized & moved to Orchard Crest Retirement Center in Spokane Valley, Wash., to be closer to family.

Darlene is survived by daughter Tina Wallman (Karl), grandson Eric Wallman (Ashley), and granddaughter Erin Wallman. Daughter Teri Snell (Jerry), grandson Hayden Snell (Kirsten), great-grandsons Hudson and Hunter, and great-granddaughter Harper. Grandson Christian Snell (Megan), and great-granddaughter Parker. Nephews: Randy Hulsizer (Cheryl), Barry (Kathy), Danny (Jill), Bryan Hulsizer, Wade Hulsizer, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Darlene was preceded in death by both her parents, Lee and Chlora (Fultz) Hulsizer, along with her brothers Eugene Hulsizer, Wayne Hulsizer and husband Ken K. Judd.

The family is forever grateful to the staff of Horizon Hospice, especially Allison Clark, Carissa Close, Janet, Anna, Kristen and so many others for your compassionate care of Darlene. They would also like to thank the outstanding care provided by Orchard Crest friends and their staff.

Private family services will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Horizon Hospice of Spokane in Darlene’s honor.

Visit Darlene's memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

    Judd