John Robert Hendrickson

Hendrickson, John Robert Age 97 Of Minnetonka, MN Beloved father and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on June 16, 2009. He was preceded in death by his loving and supportive wife of 69 years, Ardis. His dog, Rusty, 9 years old, whom he raised from a puppy starting at the age of 89, was at his side. Survived by daughter, Mary Jo Wainwright and her two sons, Roger and Jason (Dena) and great-grand-daughter, Elise Jaden; son, John R. Jr. (Mary) and their children, daughter Anna (Eric) and son James (Tammy) and great-granddaughters, Olivia, Marie, Kaya Anna and Kyra Lynn. Loving caregivers Lori and Pat. John lived a long and active life. He was an only child and, living through the Depression, instilled in him a drive to succeed. He rose to President of Winkley Artificial Limb Company, President of Hendrickson Inc. and on a handshake alone, became Exec. Vice Pres. of Otto Bock Orthopedic Industry, Inc. He was one of the initial investors in Medtronic, before stock was issued and took a Medtronic pacemaker to South America with the People to People program. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Washburn Park. His dear friend, Rev. William R. Snyder, former pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, is flying in special from Arizona to help officiate at the funeral. In his youth, he was in DeMolay and served as Master Counselor of Minneapolis Chapter. While there, he authored a booklet for new members and it was published. On December 28, 1942, he was invested with the Active DeMolay Legion of Honor. He also served as Chairman of the Advisory Council and the Minnesota DeMolay Foundation. John was raised a Master Mason in Minneapolis Lodge No. 19, A.F. & A.M. on December 1, 1943 and served as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1951. He received the Hiram Award on October 26, 1994. While at Lodge 19, he was instrumental in starting a foundation which later was turned over to the Scottish Rite Minneapolis Valley and subsequently became known as the Scottish Rite Foundation. With the move of Lodge 19 to the Shrine Temple, he believed that Lodge 19 had the vision for a new direction in Masonry. His focus and support developed the Minneapolis 19 Scholarship Foundation. He was proud to call himself a Nineteener. John became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Minneapolis Valley on Dec. 28, 1944. He received the Rank and Decoration of Knight Commander of the Court of Honor on October 18, 1949. He was Commander of the Minneapolis Council of Kadosh from 1962 to 1964 and was coroneted a 33rd degree Inspector General Honorary on November 30, 1963. From 1977 to 1978 he served as President of the Minneapolis Valley 33rd degrees Council. He received the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry in St. John's Chapter, now Minneapolis Chapter No. 9, on April 15, 1961, the degrees of the council of Cryptic Mason's in Minneapolis Council No. 2, and became a Sir Knight in Zion Commandery No. 2 on April 22, 1961. John became a Noble of Zuhrah Shrine Temple, May 4, 1948. He served as President of the Ceremonial Unit and then as Illustrious Potentate in 1969. He was invited to join St. George Conclave Red Cross of Constantine in 1964 and served as Puissant Sovereign in 1976. He became a member of Minneapolis Court No. 53 Royal Order of Jesters in 1968. John served as a line officer of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota from 1968 to 1975 when he was Junior Grand Warden. The members of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota A.F. & A.M. elected him to a three-year term as a Trustee of Minnesota Masonic Home and he was subsequently elected to three-year terms in 1968, 1971, and 1974. He served as President of the Board of Trustees from April 1970 to April 1977 when he completed his service as a Trustee limited to twelve consecutive years by the Bylaws of Minnesota Masonic Home. For one year he served as a Special Consultant to the Board of Trustees. In 1978, the members of Minnesota Masonic Home elected him a Trustee and again elected him to three-year terms in 1981, 1984, and 1987. In March of 1990, he completed his second full twelve-year as a Trustee and concluded twenty-five continuous years of service to the Masonic Home. On March 30, 1990, he received the Masonic Service Award at Grand Lodge. Of all the positions that he held, he most enjoyed serving as President of the L.O.Bs. They were his support, his heart, and most importantly, the brothers he never had. Without them, life wouldn't have been as much fun. He was very honored to be a part of this select group. John was truly one-of-a-kind, generous and compassionate, loyal to family and friends. Many will welcome him home, but he will be surely missed by those he left behind. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to Minneapolis 19 Scholarship Foundation. Private Interment. Memorial Masonic Service, Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 5:30PM, with visitation one hour prior at Zuhrah Shrine Center, 2540 Park Ave. S., Mpls. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996