Anna Belle Hendrickson

Anna Belle (Walker) Hendrickson, age 88, of Bolivar, Missouri departed this life on Monday, March 25, 2013 at Parkview Healthcare Facility in Bolivar following a short illness. Ann was born August 16, 1924, to David William Walker and Georgia Gertrude (Davis) Walker in West Plains, MO. Ann was married to Harold Hendrickson February 10, 1946 and to this union was born four children: Elizabeth Ann, Jean Ellen, Richard Lee, and Robert Dee. Ann grew up on a farm west of West Plains. After graduating from high school, Ann worked at different clerical positions. Her second favorite job was when she worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. She was working there when World War II ended. She told about the excitement of watching the monument lights restarting. The best job that Ann held was the one in Bolivar. She often told about asking for information from those coming into the store. When she asked Harold Hendrickson if he was married, he returned to ask her the same question. Two months later, they were married. Ann was saved at an early age at the Davis Creek Methodist Church in West Plains. At her passing she was an active member of the Mt. Gilead Methodist Church where she had belonged for many years. Harold and Ann lived all of their married life on a farm southeast of Bolivar, except for a period when Harold was in the service. They milked cows for many years and then raised beef cows. Ann would tell young children that the bend in her thumbs was due to the fact that she had milked cows by hand. Ann was very active in 4-H throughout her life. Many young girls were taught to sew at the sewing machine setting in Ann’s house. Ann received many awards for her service to the 4-H programs. She also was an active member in extension clubs. Ann’s greatest pastime in her later years was her sewing. Many new babies in the community, or at Mt. Gilead, received one of her handmade quilts. She made “strip” quilts and gave those to anyone in need. She sent 3 of those quilts to Joplin after the tornado. Ann also used her sewing ability to make items for babies with the Madison’s Angels. Even with all this sewing, Ann was never too busy to keep a sick grandchild or great-grandchild. Anne’s granddaughter Leah was waiting tables at a restaurant in Colorado when NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin and his crew sat in her section. Following their meal a large tip was left for her. Ann heard about the generosity given to her granddaughter and at 85 years old she became an instant NASCAR fan, watching the races every Sunday to check in on Mr. Hamlin. Ann was never too old to try something new. Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Harold Hendrickson, her parents, two sisters, Marie Walker and Ellen Collins, and one brother, David L. Walker. She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Campbell and husband Gary, Jean Franklin, Richard Hendrickson and wife Pat, Robert Hendrickson and wife Alana, one brother, Frank Walker of Ohio, 10 grandchildren; Tom Campbell and wife Jamie, David Campbell and wife Brenda, Matt Campbell, Laura Montgomery and husband Jeremy, Leslie Franklin and fiancé John Gorman, Leah Franklin, Shannon and Erin Hendrickson, and Jennifer and Jeremy Hendrickson, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, two sisters-in-law Evelyn Bacon and Dorothy Bennett, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other distant relatives. To this listing could be many others that called Ann “mom” or “grandma.” Harold and Ann also were host families to two American Field Service students. Normand Svoen and his family live in Norway. Bilen Bozkurt and his family live in Turkey. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Butler Funeral Home Chapel in Bolivar with Reverend Clint Lambeth officiating. Musical soloist will be Allen Hines singing "He Touched Me" and "How Great Thou Art" with Brenda Lacy as the Pianist. Burial will be in the Mt. Gilead Cemetery south of Bolivar under the care and direction of Butler Funeral Home. Casketbearers will be Tom Campbell, David Campbell, Matt Campbell, Jeremy Montgomery, John Gorman and Shannon Hendrickson. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00pm on Friday, March 29, 2013 at Butler Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions may be made in Ann’s remembrance to: The American Cancer Society, and The Lupus Foundation c/o Butler Funeral Home. Friends and family may sign the guestbook or leave private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Anna Belle Hendrickson

August 9, 1924 - March 25, 2013