Connie R. Hendricks
Connie Hendricks, age 72 of Morris, Minnesota, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN.
Visitation for Connie Hendricks will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a time of sharing at
7:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Destiny Church in Ashby, MN.
Funeral services for Connie Hendricks will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Destiny Church in Ashby, MN.
Burial will be in Summit Cemetery in Morris, MN.
Born in Manila, Philippines, the daughter of missionary parents serving overseas, Connie grew up in the Philippines before moving to the United States to attend college. She met her future husband when she pushed him into a wall at a rollerskating party with the college group at her local church. They were engaged on Friday, February 13th. Throughout their marriage, They celebrated every Friday the 13th as a sort of anniversary of their engagement. Connie and Paul were married on August 31, 1976, about 15 months after they started dating.
Early in their marriage, Connie and Paul worked on nourishing their relationship with each other and with Christ. From vastly different family traditions, there was a lot to grow into. Sometimes problems needed to be puzzled out, and sometimes emotions needed to be felt and aired within the safe arms of unconditional love. Paul and Connie learned to pray and listen for God’s direction together, to support and build each other up. They put Christ at the very center of their marriage and He was, in a very real sense, the firm foundation that their life and family was built upon; the thing that kept them growing and joyfully moving forward for the next 49 years together.
Connie and Paul lived in the Twin Cities, spent over a decade in New Prague, then moved to the Morris area where Susie and Joy started families of their own. For several years, Connie had “Grandma days” where all the grandkids treasured time at her house once a week. Connie was devoted to relationships and made countless connections through church and community, hosting monthly “College Sundays” in her home and taking many young women under her wing as “adopted” children. She always had a special place in her heart for foreigners living here as well as anyone who struggled to feel they belonged.
She is survived by her husband: Paul Hendricks of Morris, MN; three brothers: Gordon Denler of Morris, MN, Ron (Mary) Denler of Champlin, MN, and Norman (Tina) Denler of Midlothian, Texas; two daughters: Susie (Kris) Hanson and Joy (Seth) Baker; six grandchildren: Elliot, Nathaniel, and Lilly Hanson, Aaron, George, and Henry Baker; and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are Connie’s six grandchildren: Elliot, Nathaniel, and Lilly Hanson, Aaron, George, and Henry Baker.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Gene and Mary Denler; and her grandson: Michael Baker.
Arrangements are with Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, MN.
