Hugo J Pulju

Hugo James Pulju, aged 95, passed away peacefully at Green Pine Acres on November 8, 2025 from old age. A viewing and celebration of life is planned for Saturday, November 22, at 10:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga at 11:00 am. A luncheon for all will follow at the Fellowship Hall.

Hugo was born April 29, 1930 in Park Rapids to Hugo Edwin Pulju and Agnes Cassidy Pulju. He was raised in Menahga and attended Menahga School where he graduated as the Salutatorian in 1948. Hugo worked throughout High School, as the movie projectionist at the Menahga Show Hall as well as a “soda jerk” at the drug store. He was also on the basketball team and played coronet for the marching band. He then attended the Montana School of Mines in Butte Montana, off and on as his finances allowed. He worked summers with his uncle Ed Pulju in Great Falls, Montana as well as the Anaconda Mine in Butte where he famously lost half of his middle finger. He was drafted during the Korean conflict and served in Germany from 1953 to 1954 as a petroleum laboratory technician achieving the rank of corporal. He declined promotion to sergeant for extending his enlistment, choosing instead to return home to finish his degree at the Montana School of Mines. He received his Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering in 1958 where he also lettered in baseball. He later received a degree in Education at the Bemidji State Teachers College and taught middle school math and science at the Menahga school until 1962. It was during this time that he built and operated the Spirit Lake Motel and Drive-in. He returned to Butte in 1963 to complete his Master of Science in Geological Engineering. He then accepted a position with the Carter Oil Company and moved his family to New Orleans, Louisiana where he began his long career in the oil and gas business, primarily in exploration. After working for several companies in Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California he decided to form his own company in Denver, Colorado. Denver Processing Center (DPC) opened in 1973 and processed geophysical data for many oil companies. DPC was highly successful and expanded operations to offices in Alaska, Texas, and several South American countries. DPC merged with another company in 1984, and Hugo retired from corporate management. He continued to sell geophysical data and maintained interests in several producing oil fields for the rest of his life.

Hugo maintained deep roots in Menahga, returning often and formed the Menahga Pallet company in the 1990’s. He returned permanently to Menahga in 2002 and was later elected to and serve four years on the Menahga School Board, retiring as the board president in 2008. He was also one of the founders and served for a time as president of the Spirit Lake Association, was a member of the Lions Club, the Conservation Club, and volunteer at the Menahga Museum and the VFW. He also served on the Wadena Count Water Resources Management Task Force and the Initiative Foundation Wadena County Healthy Partnership. When not working or contributing to the community, he took great joy in spending time with his friends and family and had great affection for young children and animals. He also had a sharp wit a wicked sense of humor. He also loved sports, hunting, camping, and golf, as well as travel and cruising.

Hugo is survived by sons James Hugo Pulju (Ruth), Edward Patrick Pulju (Cheryl) his daughter Carol Anne Becker (Bruce Becker), seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Edward Joseph Pulju, Eugene (Gene) Raymond Pulju, Francis (Frank) Arthur Pulju, George Andrew Pulju, sister baby Agnes, and former wife Georgette (Ryland) Pulju.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Spirit Lake Association.