Golda Ferne Hendrickson

Golda Ferne Hendrickson passed away Friday, April 12, 2013, at the North Point Care Center in Paola, KS, surrounded by her family. At the time of her passing, she was 94 years, 5 months, and 22 days old. Golda Ferne was born October 21, 1918 in Louisburg, KS, the second child of Levi Andrew and Q. V. (Wolf) Butts. She was united in marriage to James Oliver Hendrickson on October 24, 1936 by the Rev. W. H. Elliott in the Baptist Parsonage, Ottawa, KS. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Paola, KS. Oliver was an over the road trucker when they were first married. Golda told the story of the first time Oliver left for a trip after they were married, "He left the house and was gone for awhile, and when he came back because he had forgotten something, he found me on the floor crying. Before he left again he told me that he was going to quit that job and find some other way to make a living and would never leave me alone again." Oliver and Golda Ferne moved numerous times in their nearly 60 years of marriage. It made your head spin when she started naming off all the places they lived. They lived for a number of years in Cleveland, MO, Paola, KS, Stover, MO, before spending the final 31 years of their marriage in Paola, KS. After moving back to Paola from Stover, Oliver told Golda Ferne they had the opportunity to move back to Stover and she told him, "You go ahead. I have made my final move." He decided then that he had better drop the subject. Golda was first and foremost a loving homemaker and mother. Her children were her pride and joy. She was known for the wonderful meals prepared for anyone who was at her home. Anytime you stopped by her house, there was always a dessert on the cabinet or in the refrigerator, and you didn"t dare refuse when she offered it. Grandkids and great-grandkids knew there would be a dish of M & M"s, coloring books, and crayons waiting for them when they came for a visit. When they lived on the farm and hired hands had to come in to help Oliver, the first question that they would ask was, "Is your wife going to feed us?" If the day did not require a meal, they wouldn"t come; if it did, he almost had to turn help away. Platters of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, various salads, delicious homemade rolls, desserts, and gallons of iced tea were always served. These meals were sometimes prepared after doing the laundry on a wringer washer, hanging the laundry outside on the clothesline to dry, and maybe canning fourteen quarts of green beans. Golda worked at several Paola businesses including Cokers, Coast to Coast, Roberta"s Tea Room, and Smith"s Garment Company. She retired from King Radio. Golda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; granddaughter Melody Dee Hendrickson; great granddaughter Ashley Samantha Emanuel; two brothers " Edward Levi Butts (Dora) and Harold Vernon Butts (Helen); one niece Patty Jo Butts Gaither; and one nephew Eddie Gene Butts. She is survived by four sons " James Oliver Hendrickson, Jr. (Lucille) of Hollister, MO, Robert Lee Hendrickson (Anna May) of Ottawa, KS, Darold Gene Hendrickson (Karen) of Fontana, KS, and Harold Dean Hendrickson (Dorothy) of Paola, KS; two daughters " Carolyn Sue Jacobs (Larry) of Paola, KS, and Connie Mae Derks (Larry) of Buffalo, MO. She also leaves twelve grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; as well as a host of step-grandchildren, step-great grandchildren, and step-great great grandchildren; one step-brother Fred Barnes (Ethel) of Louisburg, KS; three nieces " Amy Lee Roberts (Fred) of Olathe, KS, Lou Etta Wilson (Lee) of Lenexa, KS, and Vada Norene Tipton (Don) of St. Louis, MO. Memorials may be made to the Ladies" Mission Circle in care of the First Baptist Church, 207 E. Wea, Paola, KS 66071 or the Vitas Hospice Care, 13316 West 98th St., Lenexa, KS 66215. To share a memory of Golda or leave a condolence message for her family please click the Share Memories button above. 1st Baptist Church Service: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 10:30 AM Visitation: Monday, April 15, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM