Irene Hendrickson

Madison - On Sunday, August 11, 2013, the world lost a special person. Irene (Berg) Stratton Hendrickson, age 93, passed away at UW Hospital surrounded by family, after a head injury due to a fall.

Irene was a woman with a warm heart who lived a life filled with simple truths and common kindness. Together with her husband Guy Stratton, married June 6, 1942, they built a life of honor, dignity and caring, raising two sons, James and Richard. She lost Guy too soon, on June 6, 1964. She married Harry Hendrickson on March 21, 1971, gaining two wonderful daughters, Delores and Holly. She lost Harry too soon also, on March 19, 1972.

Left to honor her memory, bask in her love and remember her laughter, are her son James with Ann Stratton, daughter-in-law Kathi Stratton, 4 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Grandchildren are Kevin with Sharon Strattan, Heidi with Jeff Fischer, Guy Stratton and Brett Stratton. Great Grandchildren are Brooke and Brandon Strattan, Abigail, Nicholas and Tyler Fischer, and Corbin and Kasia Stratton. From her union with Harry Hendrickson are 2 stepchildren Delores with Ken Bakke and Holly with Jim Lynaugh. Step Grandchildren include Danan Bakke, Lisa (Bakke) Martinson, Peter Lynaugh and Patrick Lynaugh.

Besides the loss of her two husbands, she survived the death of her son Richard, her parents Olivia and Jens Berg, and her sister Margaret at age 12.

Irene lived a full life from her birth in Minneapolis on November 18, 1919. She lived in the La Crosse, Stoughton and Madison areas, and worked at Bethel Lutheran Church for over 20 years. She loved to garden, make tasty Norwegian lefse and cookies, dance at the Elks Club and travel with friends. Her favorite role was being a caring and loving mom and grandmother and friend. She used her experience of widowhood to co-found Kayra, an organization helping widows and widowers with their grief.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 30, 2013 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Guests are welcome to wear blue, her favorite color, matching her sparkling blue eyes.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Media Ministry or Bethel Horizons or any other charity of your choice.