Arthur "Art" M. Hendrickson

Arthur Maurice Hendrickson; a dedicated, hardworking farmer, a loving family man, and a devout follower of Christ, passed away peacefully at the family farm and went to his heavenly home on April 28, 2024.

Arthur, lovingly known as Art, was born on June 10, 1933 to Peter and Nora (Aberg) Hendrickson in Sterling, Wisconsin. He was baptized on July 23, 1933 and confirmed on June 8, 1947, both at Southwest Prairie Lutheran Church. He grew up tending the animals and the land on the family farm near Retreat until his graduation from Viroqua High School in 1951. Two years later, Art graduated from UW-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course in March 1953.

He served in the Army as a military policeman from June 1953 to May 1955, at the end of the Korean conflict. He told many stories about the time he spent serving his country, but his favorite stories often involved humor, mischief and the friendships he had built during those years of service. He took up boxing while stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and loved telling the story of going toe to toe with someone who “hit him harder than he’d ever been hit before – but they still ended up becoming really good friends.” He loved to tell stories that made people laugh, especially if he could offer a bit of teasing while he told them.

On June 14, 1958, at Southwest Prairie Church, he married Pauline Ekern and together they built a farm and raised three sons; David, Daniel and Nathan. Even though they later divorced, Art was thankful for the family and the lives they created together and that they were blessed with beautiful children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a true and beloved farmer his entire life. He began his life milking dairy cows by hand side by side with his siblings at a very young age, to later teaching his sons how to plant and harvest fields of crops and finally in his later years, turning his attention to tending a few tomato plants and his flower beds around his home. In 1982, after passing the farming operation over to his son Daniel, he found the love of a second career at Coon Valley Farm and Home Lumber Yard in Coon Valley, Wisconsin. He worked alongside his lifelong friends Roger and Beatrice Carlson for many wonderful years. His favorite pastimes were spending time with family, playing Cribbage with Dan Kapanke weekly (and others), visiting with people and spending time in Arizona playing golf and watching the Brewers with his friend Gene Schroeder.

Art was a humble man of simplicity and a deep sense of profound faith. His Bible and devotional materials were always beside his chair, and he looked forward to his weekly bible study with friends at Maplewood. He carried his faith with him from a young age as he was baptized and confirmed at Southwest Prairie Lutheran Church and was later a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua. He believed in donating his time and talents to various organizations in need. He was a member of the Coon Valley American Legion post 116 and was a lifetime member and long-term board member of Norskedalen in Coon Valley. He was proud of the time he served on the board to keep the Norwegian heritage alive in our community.

He kept the Norwegian heritage alive in our family with the hundreds and hundreds of lefse rounds he provided over the years to every holiday and family gathering. He was meticulous about his lefse making process and being a long-time carpenter, even had a tape measure dedicated to measuring out the lefse log prior to cutting and cooking.

Art is survived by his children David (Jerrilyn Carlson), Daniel (Connie Williams) and Nathan (Tamara Dull), “like a son” John Schedivy, grandchildren Leah (Justin) Monroe, Sara (Aaron) Hagen, Drew (Jessica) Hendrickson, Jamie (Caleb) Thomas, Samuel Hendrickson, Avery Hendrickson, Lisa (Jake) Luehmann, Tanner Albert, Reggie Hendrickson and Ross Hendrickson; great-grandchildren Evalyn, Paige, Alexis and Ben Monroe, Cory and Mack Hendrickson, Alayna and Christian Thomas and Miles and Cal Luehmann; sister Margaret Hickok, and many close nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings; Kenneth, Lloyd, Melvin, Palmer, Harold, Helen, Ruth, Chester, Marie Ann and two infant brothers.

While we are saddened by the sudden departure of the patriarch of our family, we know that he is enjoying the fruits of heaven, a spirited cribbage game with his family and friends that have passed before him and watching a good Brewer game from the best seat in the house.

Friends and loved ones can offer condolences at the visitation that will be held on Sunday May 5^th from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley, and again on Monday May 6^th from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at Southwest Prairie Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon will follow in the church basement after burial at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Southwest Prairie Lutheran Church, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or the organization of your choice.

Blessed be the memories we hold dearly in our hearts of Arthur; we know that he is finally at peace in the one and true home in Heaven.