Today we honored a true loving honorable wise man. He was sent to his final resting place by family and  friends that loved and cared about him. Thank you to the Army, Tom Penke, and the Honor Guard of VFW 2503. Tom wanted and 21 gun salute and you honored his wishes. It was awesome. I would go into battle any day of the week with Tom, more so than any Philosopher. 

We were honored to take Mr. Hendricks on the final WWII Honor Flight April 2009. 

Evonne and I are sorry for your loss. 

Many years ago I made a turn into Tom's driveway in front of an oncoming car. The other driver stopped and came into Tom's garage to rant about my driving. He thought Tom was my dad. I'm not even sure I was his daughter-in-law yet. Tom listened patiently while the driver went on and on, never telling him I wasn't his daughter.

Tom took care of Eileen when she had medical problems. He put her eye drops in for her since she was terrible at it. He cut her pills in half for her. When she broke her hip, he helped her get around. He made sure her home health care workers did a good job.

He was a veteran of World War II serving in the 86th Infantry (Blackhawk) Division. He and Eileen attended and enjoyed many Blackhawk reunions until they were no longer able to go.

I am sad he is gone but glad he was here.

It was after his first daughter Patty's passing, in October 1956. He made her casket in the garage, a garage that he built behind our house on Pine. He had a stoic determination, having grown up in South Omaha during the Depression and enlisting to fight in WWII. He diligently fought through the tears I could see on his cheeks to finish making her casket. He painted the small casket a pinkish-brown earth color. A year later, just after his second daughter Susan's birth, he made the baptismal font for Peace Lutheran Church and painted it with that same pinkish-brown earth colored paint. Both the casket and the baptismal font were perfect. They were the craftsman's metaphor to represent life's rebirth.

Beside the garage, he built our big swing set, welding together the steel pipe that he probably got from a junk yard. He anchored it in the ground with the concrete he mixed himself. He painted it with aluminum colored paint - the same paint which would later be used to preserve a basketball backboard and more. He built so much and repaired so much all by himself. 

Whether it was metal, wood, paint or hardware, he had an ethic by which it all was valuable for what it could potentially be used to repair or later, used to make into something new.  And, for everything that needed to get done, he had the attitude that he could do it and always would.
 
The German philosopher Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) asked a most basic question: "Why is there something rather than nothing?", which he reasoned was proof of God. My dad might not have come up with a question like Leibniz's, but he pursued his life with an instinctive honor and belief in God. I imagine right now in Heaven, old-timer Gottfried and new-arrival Thomas, are happy with how they each approached their answers. 

Dear family,

Tom and I were both tenors in the King of Kings choir many years ago. I have fond memories as I always enjoyed our time together as we tried to hit all the right notes. Gods blessings to you as you grieve Tom’s passing.

Gordon & Carol Maronde

Dear Bral and Hendricks Families,

My sincere sympathy and prayers that God will give you His help, His strength and His hope during this time of sorrow.

Love,

Sandy

Tom, Christmases, Thanksgivings, and birthdays will not be the same without you. Your love and kindness will always be with us. I appreciate all the help on you did working on cars together. and painting our house together.  I learned a lot from you. We enjoyed your war stories on your last birthday. The last 3 years have been a real struggle for you, but you never complained and you  persevered thru it all.  Brandon, Derek, and Jenna loved visiting with you. I know you always thanked and appreciated Susan's care giving, but she would not have had it any other way. You did not let negative talk get you down. Not only did you talk the talk, you walked the walk and showed how a  godly man lives his life. 

Love always, John, Susan, Brandon, Derek and Jenna.



We are so sorry to hear of Tom's passing.  He was our mentor when we first joined King of Kings when we moved to Omaha in 1973.  He was always so nice and kind and made us feel very welcome.  We pray that God will comfort and guide you through this difficult time.  
We extend our deepest sympathy to all the family.
Sincerely,
Jerry and Nita Frost

Our dad, grandfather and great grandfather showered our lives with memories of accomplishment and optimism. He was a most loving person who showed deep affection for us, Mom, his parents and his many siblings - a loyal, dedicated, God-fearing man who lived his life in the best of American traditions. Please share your memories of Tom here. In honor of Tom Hendricks.

OBITUARY

Thomas Hendricks

5 September, 1923 – 25 April, 2020

Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home & Westlawn-Hillcrest Memorial Park

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