Obituary of Mary Hendrickson

Mary R. Hendrickson Febuary 5, 1909 to September 24, 2009 Mary Hendrickson, age 100 died peacefully of old age at her home, in the comfort of loving family on Thursday, September 24, 2009. She was born in a farmhouse located near the Arctic Circle in Northern Sweden, the youngest in her family of six boys and three girls. Her father raised sheep and cows. Mary was fluent in three languages, Swedish, Finnish and English. Mary wanted to come to America rather than get a college education. With $100 in her pocket, she arrived on a steam ship at Ellis Island, September 1, 1927. She headed for Idaho to live with her brother's family. Emil Kartano was her first husband, in Aberdeen, WA. Her only son, George Emil was adopted by her second husband, Rurik Hendrickson. Rurik and Mary married in 1938 and lived in Willamina, Oregon. In Willamina she was a major fundraiser and contributor for starting the town's Lutheran Church. She loved to eat trout her son George caught in local streams. When her husband retired, they moved to Vancouver, WA. Mary also enjoyed going to the beach house in Ocean Park, WA.  She learned to golf, after settling in Washougal, WA in 1972. She became a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Camas where she became a pillar of the church, and recently became the Eldest member of the church. Throughout her years in the church she held many positions, ran fundraisers, volunteered extensively, and could always be counted on for help and support. She was also a member of Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club in Washougal where she hit two hole-in-ones in her lifetime. Mary and her late husband Rurik were also members of the Runeberg Club in Portland. All who knew her enjoyed her hospitality, her love, and her excellent meals. She weaved rugs, sewed homemade clothing, and made beautiful wool tapestries. A sign in her back yard quotes, "One is nearer to God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth." Mary was patient, creative, generous, hardworking, tenacious, frugal, determined, and positive. Her husband Rurik Hendrickson, son George Hendrickson, and grandson Steven Hendrickson, preceded her in death. Survivors include her daughter-in-law Roberta Hendrickson, grandson Chris Hendrickson (wife Alice), grand-daughter Annette Chipman (husband Joe), seven great-grandchildren and thirteen (soon to be fourteen) great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 11 am, Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at Zion Lutheran Church in Camas. Vault interment will take place at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Tuesday, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Brown's Funeral Home in Camas. Memorials in Mary's honor may be sent to Zion Lutheran Church or Community Home Health: 14508 NE 20th Ave. Ste. 201, Vancouver, WA 98686. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.brownsfh.com.