Jean Karen Hendricks

Jean didn’t like conflicts and was always the mediator, wanting to keep her family close and peaceful. She had her family well organized. Each day was dedicated to a specific chore: Monday was laundry, Tuesday was cleaning, Wednesday was baking, Thursday was ironing with the afternoon reserved for Cub Scout meetings, Friday was cleaning the kid’s rooms, and Saturday was shopping day, with Sunday reserved for rest. It kept everyone in the family organized and gave her time for her own activities. She sewed her children’s clothes, knitted Afghans, and embroidered pillows and pillowcases. Early on, she learned cake decorating so she could make special Birthday cakes for her family. She loved bowling and always enjoyed the World Series. She, also, loved gardening, showing off her favorite delphiniums when they marveled in size. Even with the tight ship she sailed, she managed to sew the Cub Scout Troop #233 Flag, detailed with an elaborate eagle.

Jean was born on October 24, 1926 in Akron, Ohio to Nils Edward and Esther Victoria (Lyons) Berggren, their only child. Her father was a first generation immigrant, born in Offerdal, Sweden. Her mother was born in Lanse, Pennsylvania. When she was about 4 years old, they moved to the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, riding in the backseat of the car and singing the whole way with mom and dad. Later, they relocated to Bothell where she attended Bothell High School. Before graduating in 1944, she lettered for 2 years in softball. Although she never attended college, she received an expanded education by typing term papers in the sciences, philosophy, sociology, and psychology for her children.

In October of 1946, she was the Maid-of-Honor for her best friend, Barbara, where she met her future husband and Best Man in the wedding party, Bill Hendricks. On February 1, 1947, Bill and Jean were married at Ravenna Methodist Church in Seattle. Their marriage blessed them with three children; John, Karen, and Neil. They were later blessed with four grandchildren, Amber, Eric, Lisa and Bryan; and two great grandchildren, Kahlan and Zed; and a peek-a-poodle “Shorty” (who adopted the family by showing up on the porch one day).

Prior to marriage, Jean worked for a few years as a Secretary and Stenographer at A.A.A. of Washington. Her career as a homemaker and “mom” was rewarding to her. She utilized time and opportunities to show her many talents, including playing “Scramble”, leading Cub Scouts, volunteering in Boy Scouts, and traveling on family vacations. The vacation she most often referenced was to Yellowstone National Park and The Great Salt Lake. The whole family jumped out of the car to escape the Utah heat in bare feet and all of them burned the bottoms of their feet!

Although Bill retired, Jean decided that retirement was not an option. Her honored and very important position she refused to give up, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, as she was irreplaceable. All her life she was involved in what her family was doing and their happiness. She cared for and about them in all ways. She did, however, take on more work after her husband’s retirement, as they became very involved in genealogy and tracing their family lines back in time.

When Jean was 55 years old, she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Through the year’s this disease robbed her of those activities she loved. She accepted this and was never angry about her condition. After years of fighting she lost the battle on March 17, 2012 with complications from pneumonia at Northwest Hospital in Seattle, Washington.

Though Jean is at home with her Lord, she will always be loved and missed by her family and the lives she touched.

Private family services were held at Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, Washington at Jean’s request.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance donations may be made to a local food bank of your choice.

Please sign the online guestbook and share your memories of Jean.