Patricia "Pat" Hendrickson

Patricia Lyn Hendrickson (nee Strand) Moorhead, MN, passed away September 20, 2023, after a ten-day battle with pneumonia. She was 86.

Patricia, or Pat as she later came to be known, was born December 1, 1936, in Gonvick, MN, to Alvin and Vida (Hanson) Strand, the oldest of three children. She was baptized and confirmed at Samhold Lutheran Church, Gonvick, MN.  “Patsy” as she was then known, grew up on the family farm in a strong Christian family. She graduated from Gonvick High School in 1955, where she was involved in Student Council, Glee Club and 4-H. After graduation, she worked at the courthouse in Bagley, MN, in the agricultural office.

On April 28, 1956, Pat married her high school sweetheart, Clyde Hendrickson, also from Gonvick. They moved to Schroeder, MN, where Clyde worked at the taconite loading docks on Lake Superior. When that job ended, they moved to Minneapolis, MN, where sons Paul and Mark were born. The company where Clyde worked then relocated to Colorado.  They followed the company, and their daughter Kathy was born in Colorado, but they later returned to the Minneapolis area. Pat was always very involved in church, bible studies and women’s groups. She had a strong faith in the Lord, helping wherever she could.

Pat loved flowers, gardening and sewing. She made clothes, blankets and quilts for family and friends. Each child and grandchild received a special quilt from Pat. She knitted, crocheted and needlepointed; but Pat’s special talents were in the kitchen.  She loved to cook and bake. Preparing delicious meals and treats was her way of showing love to family and friends. Her daughter followed in her footsteps, perfecting her own chocolate chip cookie recipe. Pat was known for holiday feasts with homemade lefse, flatbread, fruit soup and rice pudding. There were always leftovers for others to take home. 

Pat’s love of baking and cooking became her profession. She first cooked at an elementary school in Coon Rapids, MN. Her talents were noticed by Christian facilities who recruited her to work for them; first Red Willow Bible Camp, Binford, ND, where she spent fifteen years; then the Free Lutheran Bible School, Plymouth, MN, and later Mount Carmel Ministries, Alexandria, MN.  

In 2000, Pat and Clyde purchased a home in Parkers Prairie, MN, but before moving they took an extended trip to Alaska with their children, daughter-in-law, and two grandsons to attend a ‘Hanson Family Reunion’ on Pat’s side of the family. When they returned, they completed their move and learned of Mount Carmel Ministries and Camp. Nearing 80, Pat still helped at the Senior Center in Parkers Prairie; cooking, serving meals and washing dishes while continuing her involvement with two local churches.

In August of 2017, Pat and Clyde moved to an apartment in an assisted living facility in Moorhead, MN. Later, after Clyde’s death, Pat moved to a nearby nursing home.

Patricia Lyn Hendrickson is survived by her son, Paul (Wendy Loucks) Hendrickson, Fargo ND; daughter, Kathy Hendrickson, New Hope, MN; grandson, Luke (Erica) Hendrickson and their daughters, Lacey and Audrey, Fargo, ND; granddaughter, Sarah (Parker) VanderWal and their children, Kolby, Brody, Lilly and Rubey, Argusville, ND; and grandson, Andrew (Amanda) Hendrickson and their children, Fiona, Gemma and Liam, Thompson, ND; a sister, Barbara (John II) Brooks, Gonvick, MN; and several nieces and nephews. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Vida Strand; husband, Clyde Hendrickson; a son, Mark Hendrickson; and a sister, Virginia Scholbrock, all of Minnesota.

Sensing she would not recover but with her faith intact, she said to her daughter Kathy, in her final days: “I am going home to Jesus.”   No one doubts she has.  Rest in Peace, dear Pat. We love you and miss you.