06/09/2026
The National horse carriers association mourns the loss of Judy Hull of Hull & Smith Horse Vans
Judy was a kind, sweet, and hard working person who treated everyone she met with grace and respect. Judy, alongside her husband Gene and business partner William “Hoot” Smith, helped pave the way for the horse transportation industry, raising standards and leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
The National Horse Carriers Association sends our thoughts and prayers to Judy’s friends and family in this difficult time.
Judith Lorraine (Jensen) Hull, 87, of Ashland, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026. Born on August 10, 1938, on the family farm southwest of Glenwood, Iowa, in the beautiful Loess Hills, Judy was the oldest of five children of Amos and Virginia (Slaughter) Jensen. She graduated from Tabor High School in 1956 and attended Commercial Extension School of Business in Omaha, NE.
While working the front desk at her first job at KMTV in Omaha, Judy met the love of her life thanks to coworker Paul Beavers, who introduced her to a young horse trainer from Ashland, Gene Hull. Their first date was as Paul’s guests at the Omaha Press Club Ball at the Blackstone Hotel in November 1959, and they married on December 18, 1960. For more than 65 years, they shared a remarkable life together.
Judy embraced the nomadic world of thoroughbred horse racing, learning (among other things) to clean stalls, walk horses, and travel the tracks. She and Gene not only moved their own horses but also transported others' horses to help defray costs. In 1967, with their close friend William “Hoot” Smith, they decided to take it one step further by founding Hull & Smith Horse Vans, Inc.
While Gene drove and handled the mechanics and upkeep of the trucks, Hoot was on the road building strong, lasting customer relationships, and Judy expertly ran the office - managing P&L statements, invoicing, permits, repairs, payroll, and more - as the company grew to a fleet of trucks and drivers. Her organizational skills and dedication were the steady backbone of their successful business.
Deeply committed to her community, Judy attended and volunteered at the Saunders County Fair and so many other 4-H events. She served as one of the Directors of the Saunders County Agricultural Society for 10 years and volunteered for nearly 40 years in total while also pouring her energy into the Ashland Arts Council, Historical Society, and Garden Club. She was so happy to be part of the efforts to bring a new/updated library to town, preserve local historical markers, and brighten Ashland with gardens, including the well-tended corner at the east end of Silver Street near the underpass. At home, her green thumb transformed their property into a showplace.
Judy’s passions brought her great joy. She developed a love for cowboy poetry, attending gatherings across the West and Southwest. An avid photographer since the 1970s, she advanced from a simple flash camera to telephoto lenses and won an array of ribbons/awards at the county and state fairs. She cherished trail riding on her horses TJ and Blondie, and especially loved parading with Blondie and her black buggy alongside the Hull & Smith mule teams, not to mention the many horse shows and rodeos along the way. A true lover of the arts, she enjoyed concerts, musicals, plays, and country music, particularly country music from the 1980s and early ’90s.
Judy is survived by her devoted husband of over 65 years, Gene Hull; daughter Jill; brothers Fran (Glenda) Jensen and Carroll (Suzie) Jensen; sister-in-law Lynda Jensen; brother-in-law Gerald Abbe; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Virginia Jensen, brother Alan Jensen, and sister Linda (Jensen) Abbe.
Funeral Service, Friday (6/12/2026) 10:30 a.m. at Ashland Methodist Church, 1442 Adams St., Ashland, NE.
Officiant, Pastor Dave St. Aubin.
Visitation, Friday 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at Ashland Methodist Church.
Interment at Ashland Cemetery, Ashland, NE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ashland Rescue Squad or to the family for future designations.
Visit www.marcysvoboda.com to leave condolences.
Marcy Mortuary
104 N. 15th Street
Ashland, NE 68003
402-944-3343
