Irmgarde "Irma" Ruth Hendrickson

Funeral services for Irma Hendrickson will be held at West Zion Lutheran Church in rural Hancock, MN on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Steve Carmany officiating. Visitation will be Monday, April 17, 2023, from 5 – 7:00 p.m. at Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will take place at the West Zion Cemetery at a later date.

Irmgarde Ruth Roeber was born June 3, 1928 at St. Anne’s Hospital in La Crosse, WI, the first of four children to parents William and Frieda (Wuennecke) Roeber. She grew up on the family farm in Crooked Creek Township in Houston County, MN during the Great Depression, an experience that shaped her lifelong drive to reduce, reuse, and recycle long before it was fashionable. She attended school in Crooked Creek through 8^th grade, after which she decided on a career in nursing. Following graduation from nursing school, Irma took a job in Morris. It was around this time she agreed to go on a blind date roller skating at the Pavilion in Glenwood with Ralph Hendrickson, the man who turned out to be the love of her life. The couple was married by Pastor Knute Palmer at West Zion on March 28, 1953. They were blessed with three children: son Robert and daughters Barbara and Brenda. It was a busy life with Ralph farming and Irma working at various nursing positions in Morris, Starbuck, and Glenwood for almost 40 years. After retiring in the early ‘90s, she did daycare for grandchildren and alongside Brenda for another 10 years. Well into her 70s you could find her on the floor playing with her grandkids with a big smile on her face.

Irma loved baking (always from scratch), cooking, coupon clipping, birdwatching, and needlework—especially doilies.  She also loved jewelry and even in her last days, she would ask for a necklace or some earrings to complete her look. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards with various groups of ladies over the years; she really valued the friendships she developed at her card clubs. She was a very open and social person—she loved meeting new people and visiting with friends and family. When she was at home, she could be found watching the Minnesota Twins, the Weather Channel, or CNN. Irma’s faith was the cornerstone of her life. She was an active member of West Zion for 70 years, serving on the Altar Guild and in Women of West Zion. She was often found reading or listening to an audio version of the Bible or daily devotionals. More than anything, she was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a way of making each one feel special and her best times were when the family was all together.

Irma passed away peacefully with family at her side on April 13, 2023, at the age of 94, at Holly Ridge Manor in Starbuck where she had lived since October 2022. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Ralph Hendrickson, of Hancock; son, Robert (Beth) Hendrickson of Hancock; and daughters: Barb (Jeff) Erickson of Benson and Brenda (Ross) Greenwaldt of Sauk Centre; grandchildren: Kristen (Adam) Levitt, Kelly Hendrickson (Zack Starkey), Jillian Hendrickson, Jackson Hendrickson, Hillary (Jay) Andrews, Holly Erickson (Jaiden Forbord), Maren Greenwaldt, and Madison Greenwaldt; great-grandchildren: Ian, Adalyn, Emilia, and Isabel Levitt, Emmett Berens, Joven Forbord, and baby Andrews due in July; brother, Ernest (Joanne) Roeber of Rochester, MN; sister, Renata Riley of Salem, OR; and sister-in-law, Dolora Hendrickson of Morris; and many nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Irma was preceded in death by her parents, William and Frieda Roeber; sister and brother-in-law Hildegard and Virgil Hanson; parents-in-law: Tilford and Ida Hendrickson; brothers-in-law: Richard Riley and Alan Hendrickson; and sister-in-law, Mary Hendrickson.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at Holly Ridge Manor and Glacial Ridge Hospice for their care and loving attention to Irma.

Starbuck Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.