Donna Marie Hendricks

Donna M. Hendricks, 93 of Lakewood, Colorado passed away, November 26, 2024, after a long journey with dementia.

Donna was born in Webster, SD on June 20, 1931, as the first of three children to Herman and Marie Reetz. Her brothers Richard and Donald along with her parents preceded her in death. Donna was raised on a multi-family farm operation near Webster. Hard work and dedication to family was the way of life. She graduated high school at the age of 16. As a graduate of Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen Donna received her teaching certificate and taught first through eighth grade at a one-room school south of Volga, SD for several years.

In 1949 Donna waitressed for Boy’s State at Northern State in Aberdeen, SD. Her future husband Charles (Chuck) was attending and introduced himself. That was the beginning of a six-year courtship, often a distant relationship as Donna taught school and Chuck attended South Dakota State University as an engineering student and served state-side in the US Army during the Korean conflict. Chuck and Donna were married on June 1, 1955, and moved to a farmstead owned by the university while Chuck finished his studies and graduated in 1956. Chuck’s career with the U.S. Forest Service moved their family numerous times throughout the West and Midwest. The last move to Colorado in1984 is where they retired.

After raising two children, Lane and Cheryl, Donna worked in retail merchandising and serviced in many church organizations. An avid letter writer, Donna kept in contact with the many friends and close relationships they developed over the years. Donna was a fabulous cook, especially desserts and breads of all kinds. She was a seamstress of clothes, draperies and more and dabbled in oil-painting. Donna and Chuck enjoyed jazz & symphony concerts and traveled abroad with friends. They frequently traveled back to SD to visit family and friends and attended many high school reunions in Webster and Lake Preston. Donna enjoyed bird watching and loved caring for her home.

Donna is survived by her husband, Chuck of 69 years, daughter Cheryl, son Lane (Julie) and grandson Michael.

Over the 40 years as residents of Lakewood, Donna and Chuck were active members of 1st Presbyterian Church of Lakewood and later St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Denver. A service will take place when the time comes for Donna and Chuck to be laid to rest in Lake Preston, SD.