Bette Hendrickson

Bette Hendrickson, 93, Bismarck, passed away August 5, 2021.

Bette was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Lincoln, Nebraska, with two brothers and two sisters. Bette attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. On the weekend of her graduation, she married a fellow classmate, Hensel Hendrickson, who had entered college after serving aboard ship with the U.S. Navy during WWII. Hensel had attended the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service before transferring as a senior to St. Olaf College.

After college, Bette’s career as a social worker began in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in adoption services. She also worked for Lutheran Social Services in Minneapolis, Minn. The family moved to North Dakota and Bette worked for Burleigh County Social Services. She was also a Coordinator of the Child and Family Demonstration Project at BECEP in Bismarck. Her lifelong love of reading and books brought her to serve on the Board of the Bismarck Public Library during the time when the committee was planning to build the Bismarck Memorial Library.

She shared those years with her husband, who was a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church and a staff member at Heartview Foundation. Bette loved traveling, reading, coloring, enjoying cantaloupe with vanilla ice cream, knitting slippers, and enjoying their summer swimming pool.

Their children are Jane (Kent) Morrow, Matt Hendrickson, Nancy (Stuart) Carlson, and Bill Hendrickson. Their grandchildren are Sarah, John and Jenny Morrow and Sam and Callie Carlson. Her extended family includes Delores Anderson, June Padgham, and many nieces and nephews.

Per Bette’s wishes, a private family service will be held.

Memorials may be made to the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library in Bette's honor.