THE HENDRICK FAMILY
by Sheldon
Due to the nearly fifty years of friendship between the Helle's and the Hendrick's I decided to write a chapter on this wonderful family.
Fred and Nellie had four children:
Hazel (my wife), Elmer, Robert and Jim. Verle became acquainted with Bob Hendrick at Wyoming High School in 1932. During that winter we were invited to several house parties. We lived in town but were a part of the farm group, as were other kids from Wyoming. We would meet at different farm homes. Sometimes we'd play different games, sometimes we would dance. There was no hard liquor of any kind at any time, but we always had great times.
In June 1933, Hazel and I started dating. I had very little money. A date consisted of a show in town then home. There was no meal or drink after the show as I was lucky to have the twenty five cents for the tickets and the five cents for the popcorn.
We dated till we married on May 11, 1935. Two things in particular impressed me with Hazels' family: One was their great sense of humor and the other was their home was so happy. Our home was so sad after the death of my little sister June. I could not help but notice the difference.
I also remember how they trusted their children, especially Hazel. We were on our honor. I have always been proud that we lived as they expected us to and kept their trust.
We had been married about two or three years and Jim was about twelve or thirteen years old when he wanted to make a trip with me into Chicago by truck. It was about a twelve hour day. I, being in the habit of eating when I felt like it, forgot about my passenger. About two o'clock in the afternoon, Jim, being a growing boy, said, "Do we eat?" I stopped as soon as I could find a restaurant. After forty years we still talk about the day Jim nearly starved. Kinda dumb on my part, but we did survive.
One day before Christmas, I noticed Fred taking walnuts apart. He would take out the goodies, then glue the shells back together. He told me they were to be hung on the tree for two of his nieces. He had fun playing tricks on people.
Bob and Elmer each worked in the sawmill at different times during the winter months. Always good help. Our close friendship made the hard work a pleasure. The Hendricks were good hard workers as well as good farmers. At the time we met them they rented their farm. Later they retired and bought a house in town.
Now, I have written about Hazel in another part, but will repeat here. Hazel was the oldest of the children. She had three brothers and no sisters.
Hazelb. July 19, 1914Elmerb. August 3, 1916Robertb. March 26, 1918Jamesb. August 7, 1923They were all great kids. Hazel had both beauty and charm, a small girl about five foot tall and 110 pounds. A good girl. All four had freckles, which added to their distinction and personalities.
I remember my first breakfast at their home. In our family with thirteen children, mother always had hard boiled the eggs. (neater) They had soft boiled eggs. Did you ever try to take the shell off a soft boiled egg? Well, don't! Before I got out of that deal, we were better acquainted and I knew how to cut eggs into two halves with a knife.
As our families became better acquainted, we became closer friends. I met more and more Hendricks. Fred had six brothers and three sisters plus two had died before I knew the family.
Then came the marriages and all the grandchildren, twelve in all. Today, with Lyle's death there are eleven ranging in age from thirty two to forty years old. All fine people we are proud of. All four marriages have stood the test of time.
I remember Hazels brothers would come over on rainy days and play cards. (Sometimes all day). Those were great days. Hazel's folks had a big farm home, about twelve rooms. Always lots of company. Church every Sunday, Nellie played her church organ from the time she was eleven years old till a few months before she died, over sixty years. Dad Hendrick died on May 3, 1966 and Mom Hendrick died May 15, 1967. We still miss them so much.
Since we have known the Hendricks as friends, we of the Helle family have lost several members of our family. We are proud to say that some members of the Hendrick family has represented that family at each of the funerals. We are humbly grateful for their respect and loyalty.
Hazel's cousin, Donald Hendrick died in the early 60's. It was a quick death thirty three years old. Such a tragedy. After the funeral, the whole large family gathered at the home. I said to my father- in-law, "When I see this family, I am proud to be a part of it." Fred, being over six feet tall and myself only five feet four -he looked down with tears running down his face, said, "Sheldon, we have always been proud to have you as a part of our family." That day, I will never forget. My father-in-law was a good father-in- law, the best I could possibly have had, but he was also my friend.
My mother-in-law was also a wonderful person. She was the best cook I ever knew. I always told mother-in-law jokes like the one in which the penalty for a bigamist was two mother-in-laws. I would always finish by saying how great she was. I would also tell people she was easier to get along with than her daughter.
In all sincerity, we had a wonderful relationship with them. From 1933 until 1966 and 1967 when we lost them, we never had a quarrel.
On Hazel's mother's side of the family, she had one brother killed in World War I, one brother at Wyoming and two sisters. We were all friends. Hazel still has many cousins which we see from time to time.
Now my daughter, Lorraine has a couple of cute stories which I've asked her to tell:
STORIES BY LORRAINE
I thought my grandpa was the greatest. I never knew my other grandfather as he had died before I was born so I was especially close to Grandpa Hendrick.
I remember how tall he was, especially to a little girl of five or six. We were
both sitting side by side on chairs. I asked him how he'd gotten such long legs. He looked down and said, "Gee, they reach the floor just like yours."
Another time, he had several cages full of sparrows. So during dinner that day I asked, "Hey, Grandpa, What do you do with all those sparrows?" He replied with the straightest face, "You're eating meatloaf aren't you?" I almost lost my dinner. Actually he killed them to save his grain. He is the one who taught me jacks and a little dutch language, and a bit of the old Soft Shoe dance.
He had a way of making me feel special. Like my kiss hello and good-by. I'd always wipe it off. He'd put another one right back on. This would go on as long as I wiped them off. It also went on into my teen years. I never really did outgrow our game. If I told you I thought I was Grandpa's pet, Harley, my brother, would say I was.
Grandma was such a typical grandma. She always had her candy dish, great holiday dinners, always a place for the kids to play. She was more liberal than her daughter. One thing stands out. Bermuda shorts came into style. My mother said absolutely not for her girls, but grandma had a persuasive way and convinced mother that we could wear them. She also let me polish my pink and black saddle shoes to white and black. Those things were important to a young girl.
I loved them both dearly. I felt so cheated when they died. I still do.
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The following poem was written by Hazel's brother Jim. He is ten years younger than Hazel. This poem is precious to me.
HAZEL
Sister dear, this poem is just for you. Now some of it might not be true.
I remember when we were all at home, You would wave my hair
and then you would comb.
You would keep an eye on me I know, So wondering off I would not go.
You would help our mother bake some bread And help make sure that we were fed.
You would help wash clothes in that old machine.
'Cause I remember, "Quote. .Now you stay clean."
We never were hungry I recall,
There was always food for us all.
You were the first to leave the nest. There is a lot of history in the rest.
Now you and Shorty have come a long way. I hope this has helped you make your day.
Brother Jim
May 11, 1983
