Donna Hendrickson

Donna (Hodges) Hendrickson passed away surrounded by many of her family, January 7, 2025 at St. Luke’s hospital in Boise, Idaho.  Donna was born April 8, 1940, in Hamilton, Montana to Gar and Phoebe Hodges.  She was the second child of six children. She was raised in Salmon, Idaho.  She later attended Links school of Business in Boise where she met the love of her life Wallace Hendrickson.  Wallace and Donna were married on March 26, 1960 and were later sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. They lived in Salmon for a short time and then moved to McCall, Idaho where they began their life together and raised their five children.  She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served in several callings.  She had a beautiful voice and loved being a chorister in the church where she could share her love of music with all.  Before she died, she wanted everyone to know that she would miss that most of all.  Donna served in the United States Air Force, for a short time, however, due to heat stroke, she was honorably discharged.  Wallace and Donna, along with their son Dean were the original founders and owners of Hendrickson’s Fine Jewelry, which opened in 1985.  Dean was the head jeweler and when Donna retired Dean took over the store and continues to have a successful business.  Donna loved being a servant of the Lord, wife, sister, mother and grandmother.  Her love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the center of her core and was always shared with those around her and was exemplified in her sojourn here and shared with all.  Things that come to mind and completely awes and inspires us as a family as we reflect was her love of attending the temple on Friday’s and her ability to love unconditionally and uniquely!  If you are family, friend, customer, coworker (family of the jewelry store) friend from church or stranger who crossed her path you know and have experienced her friendliness, love, joy, and true acceptance!  Everyone knew, felt and knows of her amazing capacity to love, truly enjoy and accept every individual exactly for who they are and where they were in their life’s journey!  All were greeted excitedly, loved warmly and “delighted in” completely!  Everyone walked away carrying her contagious smile and feeling valued and loved!  This is such an amazing gift to bestow on others and is rare to possess and pass on.  So very Christ like!  Donna always exhibited her ability to instantly forgive any offenses and to remain positive, joyful and absolutely faith filled throughout any loss, heartache, disappointment, or offense.  She exhibited finding silver linings, positive lessons and God’s purpose and love in every situation and if it wasn’t obvious she had faith to literally let hardships roll out of her life and moved quickly to sharing her love, laughter, and sacred bliss.  We are so blessed to have these sacred, Christ like attributes modeled daily by her.  She constantly gave us a glimpse of the glory, grace and pure unconditional love and bliss of Heaven and now we celebrate with a full emersion in that love, and glory for her life eternal!  We move forward trying to mimic all she enhanced in our lives, until we meet again with her in songs of halleluiah around God’s throne!  We love you, Mom!  Please continue to guide, love and pray for us!  Donna was preceded in death by her parents Gar and Phoebe Hodges, husband, Joseph Wallace Hendrickson, Sisters Wanona Tolman, Beverly Cockrell, Brother, Kenneth Hodges, Daughter Peggy, and Son Chuck.  She is survived by her children Dean (Sarah) Hendrickson of Boise, Idaho, Brian Hendrickson, of Boise, Idaho, Lenice (Stan) Smith of Nampa, Idaho, 19 Grandchildren, 32 Great Grandchildren, Brother Dwight (Mona) Hodges of Firth, Idaho, LaJuan (Mick) Updike of Valparaiso, Indiana, and numerous nieces and nephews.  

Funeral service will be held on January13, 2025, at the LDS Church on 8620 West Goddard Road, Boise, Idaho. Viewing will be from 11:00 to 1:00 pm with the funeral immediately following.