Friday, January 16, 2009

Gerald 'Jerry' A. Hendricks

Gerald “Jerry” A. Hendricks, age 86, passed away Friday, January 16, 2009, at Ridgewood Care Center. Jerry was born in Racine on February 20, 1922, son of the late Peter J. and Irene (Nee: Dickman) Hendricks.

Jerry was a graduate and 1st violinist at Washington Park High School. Jerry owned and operated Hendricks Motors, the first Volkswagen dealership in Racine. He also owned and operated the first snowmobile dealership. An avid boater, Jerry, along with three others, founded the Harbor Lite Yacht Club where he served as Commodore for three terms and was the proud owner of Gypsy III. Not limited to the land or water, Jerry was a licensed pilot who logged over 4,000 miles in the air flying all over the country. A skilled woodworker, he made hundreds of wooden creations including model cars, furniture and lamps. More than anything, Jerry treasured time spent with his family and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife, Muriel “Mur” A. (Nee: Gunderson); his two sons, Mark Hendricks and David Hendricks, both of Racine; two daughters, Sharon Hendricks of Kenosha and Rita (Brian) Staudenrauss of Sturgeon Bay, WI; stepson, Patrick (Kathy) Tuttle of MD; eight grandchildren, Andrew, Ryan, Danny, Todd, Stacey, Kim, Drew and Michelle; 11 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Dorothy Hendrickson of Arkansas and LaVerne Vanderzee of Racine; sister-in-law, Elaine Andersen of Waukesha; former daughter-in-law and still family, Nancy Hendricks of Racine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends and neighbors. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his first wife, Katherine (nee: Maupin) in 1970, and a grandson, Merrit.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., on Saturday, January 24, 2009, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Joseph G. Stobba O.S.A. officiating. Interment will be held at St. Louis Cemetery, Caledonia. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Saturday from 1 p.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to the American Cancer Society have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Condolences to the Hedrick family. I remember my Father, Dave enjoying life with Jerry and friends from HLYC and 5th st. They knew how to live!
Jeff Raffini and Family