Dora Wilson Hendrickson

By Sun Advocate

SALT LAKE/PRICE-Dora Hendrickson, age 93, passed away March 6, 2015 in Price.
She was one of fifteen children born to James and Kate Hatter Wilson in Sunnyside on May 27, 1921. Married Orville H. Hendrickson on April 14, 1941; he preceded her in death on February 20, 1974.
Mom had twelve children: Orville (Gay-deceased), Ruth Arlene Gordon, Vernon Thomas (deceased), Dolores “Troy” (Herb) Roberts, Karen (James) Peterson, Juanita & Tom (both deceased), Finlayson, Woody (Linda), Gayle (Steve) Johnson, Diana (Mike-deceased) Stuart, Dawn Rouse, Jimmy (Cathy), and John (Kate); adopted daughter, Sherry Watkins-Hoggard; 34 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence. Our mother will continue in the memory of every person she has ever come in contact with as the sweet, kind and somewhat mischievous person she was. In life she was a diligent wife and mother, good friend and fun loving to her grandchildren.
Mom went to work outside the home for the first time in 1974 at Fred Meyer (GC) where she made many special friends. She never lost contact with Mae Halligan and Gary and Carol Townsend. Dora loved working and continued there until she retired on her 70th birthday. Many of her co-workers came to celebrate her 75th birthday, which oops she forgot to show up for. Dora always enjoyed getting together with them after retirement, but was disappointed that they never put together another Wendover trip.
After retirement, Mom took turns living with her kids: Diana, Karen, Woody and her sister Mae. From 1998 on she lived with Herb and Troy, first in Scipio chasing her old fart cowboys till September 2006, then Troy took her home (where she was born) in Price. She was able to spend time with her remaining brothers and sisters: Stirling and Ed Wilson, and Teda Merrick. Her beloved sister Bernice Henrie passed while she was residing in Price. She has a special niece and nephew, Bill (Larene-deceased) Ivie and Gene (Pat-deceased) Brown; along with Pat’s daughter Becky, who always kept her as part of their families.
Her greatest enjoyment in life came in teasing her great-grandchildren, Tessa, Britton and Nakita who visited her no matter where she was. She enjoyed phone calls from Samuel Prodnuk’s (a long distance grandchild). All of her great-grandchildren were special to her. She loved to brag about them and had their pictures hanging on the fridge. Love for her family, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids was a constant source of happiness for her.
Her beautiful embroidery will be remembered because every child, grandchild and great-grandchild was gifted with something they can remember her by.
Dora’s last three years were spent under hospice care and she wasn’t going to leave her earthly abode, “till she was damn good and ready”. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Rocky Mountain Hospice and Parkdale Care Center. Also a special thanks to Bonnie Kirkwood, Tiffany Noyes, Dannette Moynier and Dr. Karen Radley for their skilled care and being part of our family. Dora was our “energizer bunny” cause she would never give up.
Dora was preceded in death by her husband, daughter, Nita; son, Vernon Thomas; 11 siblings, and grandson, Phil Hansen.
A visitation will be held Tuesday evening, March 10, 2015, from 6-7 p.m., at Mitchell Funeral Home (233 East Main Street) in Price. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 12, 2015, Noon at Lake Hills Memorial Mortuary, (10055 South State Street) in Sandy with a visitation being one hour prior to service. Interment will be in the Lake Hills Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Dora online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net