Fosston – Louan Kay Hendrickson peacefully passed away on February 11, 2025, with her family by her side, at Cornerstone Residence in Fosston. She was 85.
Louan was born November 15, 1939, to Lyle and Pauline (Schultz) Mitchell in LaPorte, IN.
She was baptized, confirmed and attended eight years of school at St. John’s Lutheran Church/School in La Porte, IN and graduated from La Porte High School in 1957. After graduation, Louan received key punch/computer training and employment with the Whirlpool Corporation.
Louan married Thomas E. Hendickson at St. John’s Lutheran Church in La Porte, IN on November 7, 1959. They moved to Chicago Ridge, IL and in 1961 started their family. Over the years they lived in Indiana, Illinois, North Dakota and Minnesota, raising their two children, Christine and Marc.
Wherever they were, Louan was always involved in church activities, from singing in the choir to attending Bible studies and ladies groups.
During their time in North Dakota, Louan worked as a secretary at NDSU, Bottineau, ND and took college courses there as well.
They relocated to Thief River Falls, and Louan worked many years at Norwest Bank as a farm loan secretary.
When Tom retired, they moved full-time to their cabin on Clearwater Lake. During that time Louan worked for Richards Publishing, Gonvik and the Clearwater County Highway Dept., retiring in 2003.
After retirement, Louan and Tom volunteered for many years at a mission in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico. This time was very dear to them and they met some special friends.
Louan spent many enjoyable hours volunteering with the Clearwater Life Center, Shop at the Top and Mustard Seed.
Louan was very proud of her grandchildren and great-grands, attending many events for them. She had a passion for baking, quilting, sewing and crafting and making many beautiful items for her friends and family.
Louan is survived by daughter, Christine (Dennis) Grugal, Roseau, and son, Marc Hendrickson (Juni), Lombok, Indonesia; grandchildren, Heather (Cobi) Burton, Jared (Brook) Sunsdahl and Chance Hendrickson; great-grandchildren, Madison, Blayke, Maegan, Rylee, Rebekah, Jewel, Camdyn, William, Aubry, Brody and Jayla.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; parents, Lyle and Pauline Mitchell; father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Iola Hendrickson; brother, David; sister-in-law, Peggy Mitchell; nephews, Keith and Kevin Mitchell; and niece, Sharon Zimmerman.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Cornerstone Residence and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the care and kindness they showed Louan.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Louan will be held on March 1, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Elim Lutheran Church in Clearbrook.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Clearwater Life Center at Cleawaterslife.org/donations.html or the Alzheimers Association at alz.org/mnnd.
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