Mary Ann Hendricks

Mary Ann Hendricks, February 8, 1939 ~ September 26, 2025

Mary Ann Hendricks passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 26, 2025 with her devoted husband, Fred, by her side. In her final days, she was surrounded with love from family and friends. For the last ten years of her life, Mary faced Alzheimer’s disease with quiet strength and more than a little fight. Though the illness took away her ability to form new memories, she held tightly to the many cherished moments she shared with Fred and their six children.

She also held onto many fond memories of growing up in Emerson, Nebraska, especially those of life on the farm, cheerleading for Sacred Heart Catholic School and working in her mother’s diner. Her love of God, music, gardening and cooking began in Emerson, and she carried them with her throughout her life. By cooking for farm hands and customers at the diner, she learned how to cook for a crowd, and by the time she moved to Millard, Mary’s cooking was legendary. Her food provided comfort to everyone at her table, and there was always room at Mary’s table. Beyond that, she donated to church bakesales, school celebrations and many people who were experiencing a need for comfort. All her children and grandchildren had the privilege of cooking with her and learning the joy and comfort that cooking can bring.

Music was one of the great loves of Mary’s life. When she and her five sisters gathered around the piano and harmonized, it was pure joy. She learned how to make music from them as well as from the nuns at Sacred Heart and a kind neighbor who gave her his accordion. Though Mary never learned to read music, she could play almost anything she heard. She played piano beautifully, and on festive occasions, she could be coaxed into yodeling and playing accordion. Whether she was making music herself or playing it on the radio, music filled the Hendricks’ household with everything from Chopin to Sinatra to Rod Stewart. Her musical tastes were broad, and she was lucky enough to see many of America’s greatest talents in concert, including Louis Armstrong and Elvis Presley. Though she was never able to pass on her remarkable talent for making music (try as she might), she was tremendously successful at passing on her love of music.

If anything outshined Mary’s love for cooking and music, it was her love of family. Soon after moving to Omaha in 1957, she met Fred Hendricks, and there began a great love story. Within a year, they married, and a year after that, they welcomed the first of their six children. When they moved to Millard in 1963, they became active members of the newly established Mary Our Queen Parish, providing a foundation of faith and a strong sense of community for their growing family. Even in such a busy household, Fred and Mary made time for each other, dancing, bowling, hunting, playing golf, and gathering with friends. Together, they organized community associations and activities for neighbors and friends. By doing so, they showed their children and grandchildren how to live and love and how to be present for each other and family. There aren’t enough words to convey the ways Mary shared her life and talents with her children. She always had time for listening, playing games, playing ball, baking, sewing, sledding, fishing, and anything else that caught their interests. Whether it was making mudpies or music, Mary was there for it. Her children were always proud of their beautiful mother and the ways she welcomed their friends to the Hendricks’ home. She knew all their friends, their names and their birthdays, and in many ways she was a mother to more than six children.

Mary's legacy is one of music, devotion, and unwavering love for family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Dorthea Coan, her brothers Edward, Leodard, and William, her sisters Evelyn, Irene and Lucille and her beloved son Louis.

She is survived by her loving husband Fred Hendricks, her children Christine Strube (Mike), Barney Hendricks (Farrell), Fritz Hendricks (Amy), Caroline Kind (Steve) and Glen Hendricks (Cindy) as well as by her sisters Alice Kelley and Elaine Meyer. Mary is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and dozens of nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church (3405 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68144)

FUNERAL MASS: Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Our Queen Catholic Church (3405 South 118th Street, Omaha, NE 68144)

INTERNMENT: Omaha National Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to:

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington Street, Suite 230, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481

www.curealz.org