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James Hendricks Obituary
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church (1001 9th Ave. S.) in Clear Lake.
Dr. Hendricks was born on Dec. 10, 1930, in Montezuma, Kan., to Ted and Sophia (Floyd) Hendricks. He graduated from Jefferson (Iowa) High School in 1949 and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1953. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary Ann Johnson, on Aug. 24, 1952, in Jefferson.
He accepted a military commission and served in the Army infantry for three years. In 1957 he returned to medical school and graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1961. During that time he remained in the National Guard and did his internship at Martin Army Hospital, Ft. Benning, Ga.
Dr. Hendricks moved to Clear Lake in 1962, where he practiced family medicine for 36 years, retiring in 1998.
The essence of his life was people. He loved his family and the practice of medicine. He had a fatherly care for his patients, who he considered his extended family. He had many friends and valued all of his friendships. He enjoyed building things and cared deeply about community.
Dr. Hendricks served on the Clear Lake School Board and as chief of staff at Mercy Hospital in Mason City.
In 1967, he served as a volunteer doctor in the Quong Ngai province of Vietnam. He was a forever Hawkeye fan, and for many years was the doctor for the Clear Lake High School football team.
Dr. Hendricks loved kids, animals, travel, and had an abiding concern for young people. One of his true joys was watching his grandchildren participate in sports and school activities.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann; son, John, and his wife Kathy, of Minneapolis; son, Tom, and his wife Sue, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, James and Megan Hendricks; sister, Donita Fatland and her husband, John, of Colfax, Iowa; his sister, Meredith Meyers, of Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank North Iowa Hospice and the IOOF Nursing Home for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Dr. James Y. Hendricks Scholarship Fund, or to Hospice of North Iowa.
Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, (641) 357-2193.
www.colonialchapels.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Hendricks
Phil Caropreso
April 14, 2006
Dear Mary Ann, and family,
I just learned about Jim's passsing. I am deeply saddened by this news. He was so good to me over the years. I always enjoyed being with him in the hospital coffee room. I still wear the Hawkeye jacket that he gave me, with my name, Herkie and convert inside. My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. Phil Caropreso
Chris Kruggel Wistey
March 26, 2006
When I lived in Clear Lake Dr. Hendricks' whole family was special to me. I loved babysitting for the boys when I was in high school. Dr. Hendricks' tender and compassionate care for my grandpa and grandma will always be remembered and appreciated. He was a wonderful man and his loss is felt by many.
Kathleen Schwade
March 21, 2006
I started seeing Dr. Hendricks shortly after he came to Clear Lake when I was 10 years old. He always had the time to sit down and visit. Things were never rushed. When I got older and married he then took care of my son.
I have always thought of Dr. Hendricks as a friend as well as my Dr. He will be sorely missed.
penny and dan miller
March 21, 2006
Dr. Hendricks was our family doctor from 1978 until his retirement. He delivered both of our children. I hated to see him retire because of his love and personal care for our family. He made you feel special. Our daughter was terrified of doctors and this bothered Dr. Hendricks so he invited us to his home so Heather could see him without his white coat. He also went the extra mile! He was the BEST doctor! We will miss him greatly and want you to know that your families are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and comfort. What a special man he is and always will be remembered. Thank you for sharing him with us. Dan and Penny Miller
Thenhaus family
March 21, 2006
He touched people in so many ways, not just as a physician. He will be truly missed. Out thoughts are with your family.
Ann (Lyons) Fisher
March 21, 2006
Dear Hendricks family,
Doctor Hendricks meant the world to me and my children. He delivered my son and saw all of us through some pretty scary times. He performed a little surgery on my face once and stopped me a week later in the grocery store to look at it and assure me it would be fine. We all loved him and miss him terribly.
Michele Huntley-Larsen
March 20, 2006
I was so sad to read about Dr Hendricks' passing. He was our family doctor beginning in 1965 clear until his retirement in 1998. He was the most wonderful man, always positive and sincerely interested in his patients. Long after my children were grown and gone, he would ask about them every time that I visited him, and it meant so much to me. Two of them are now in the medical profession, and they say that he was a great role model for them - the kind of a doctor that we wish we could have around for ever. God Bless him and his family. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the Celebration of his Life, but I will be there in thoughts and prayers.
Kay Hanes Ehlers
March 20, 2006
Mrs. Hendricks,
I have such positive memories of Dr. Hendricks and of all of your family. I was sad to read of his passing because he was such a nice man. I pray that God grants all of you comfort in the coming days.
Carol Nuehring
March 20, 2006
Our thoughts and prayes are with the Hendricks family. We truely loved this wonderful man . We are better people for having known him. God Bless you all... Craig and Carol Nuehring
Steve Russell
March 20, 2006
What a great guy..and gentleman. He set my left broken wrist about 30 years ago....my condolences to Mary Ann and all his family. Regards, Steve Russell
Mary Ellen Martin
March 20, 2006
Mary Ann, I was so sorry to read of the passing of Doc...he once came in with a needle the size of Idaho to give me vaccinations for Europe. It was filled with green liquid...I decided I didn't need to go!!!! He laughed so hard, he cried. That is only one of the many funny things he did!! Thinking of you and your family!
Love, Mary Ellen Martin
Tom Whelan
March 20, 2006
Dr. Hendricks was an incredible doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Stefanie Camenisch (Truesdell)
March 19, 2006
I was saddened to hear the news of Dr. Hendricks passing. I have many great memories of him. One in particular was his suckers he kept in the coffee tin. He always new I'd pick the brown one because it matched the color of my eyes. My happiness is knowing he is in a great place now with the Lord. Prayers to the family.
paula lindsley/truesdell
March 19, 2006
Dr. Hendricks delivered my twin sister and I. He took care of us and always made us laugh. He will be missed.
Bill & Laura Truesdell
March 19, 2006
What can I say about my favorite doctor. He delivered my daughter Stefanie & our twins and we had many happy talks. He was always reminding me of where we were when President Kennedy was shot. I was in his office when we heard the news. He was always so positive and we loved him very much. He gave so much for his community and his country. Our prayers go out to the family. We are sorry we can't be there in person.
Rosemary Muhlenbruck
March 19, 2006
I appreciated Dr Hendricks as a doctor and a person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ron and Jane Trampel
March 19, 2006
We have just lost a very special man and doctor. He always made us feel as if we were the only ones he had to care for. We considered him a wonderful friend. MaryAnn and family we are thinking of you all at this time with sympathy and love.
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