Edna Jessie Neidhardt Forester-Hendriksen, 91
Edna Jessie Neidhardt Forester-Hendriksen died in Seattle, Sept. 21, 2006, at Northwest Hospital of age-related causes. She was 91. Edna, or 'Chick' as she enjoyed being called, was born in Cut Bank on Sept. 22, 1914, to Ida May Lehman Neidhardt and Frederick Neidhardt and was one of nine children.
Her brothers, all deceased, included Woodrow and Gustaf, who had resided in Illinois, and Edward, Henry and Charles, who all resided in Montana. Her older sisters, Marie, who resided in Washington, Esther who resided in Illinois, and Erma who resided in Montana, also all preceded her in death.
Edna married Clifford Charles Forester in Great Falls in 1935, until his death in 1976.
She later married her friend in Chicago, Norman Hendriksen, whom she had known since 1932 and was married until his death in 1996. They lived in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Rollins (the Forester Flathead Lake summer house of 60 years) and where Chick was a long time member of the Women of Rollins Club.
Survivors include her sons, Clifford Keith Forester, M.A., an aeronautical engineer at Boeing in Seattle, and wife Beverly, and Timothy Daniel Forester, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and sculptor in Eugene, Ore., and his wife Susan. She has three grandchildren, Sarah Forester, 26, of Davis, Calif.; and Anne Bala-Forester, 39, and Carla Forester, 41, both of Seattle. Great-grandchildren include Brendan and Julian of Seattle.
Edna enjoyed skiing, hunting, fishing, dancing, travel, cooking for family and friends, and was a voracious reader, teaching her children new vocabulary words on a regular basis. She loved to sing in her Lutheran Church choir and sold Avon products for 25 years in Cut Bank.
Edna was a skilled and artistic gardener, and was well-known in town for her flower and vegetable gardens.
She and Norman founded a golf tourney in Polson in 1986 to promote golf among seniors. Edna water skied until she was 86 and only ended her hunting ventures at 88. She lived a full, interesting, and adventure-filled life.
When she was younger, Edna volunteered for many nonprofit organizations in Cut Bank and was always available to visit the sick or needy, and was a loving and supportive mother. She always had a hopeful message for her family and friends.
'Mother, we thank you for your life, warmth, and generous spirit. Peace be with you, Chick.'
Cremation arrangements are by Evergreen-Washelli of Seattle.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at Eidsvold Lutheran Church in Somers, with the Rev. Wayne Pris officiating. A reception will follow.
Condolences may be sent to Timothy Forester, 90869 Coburg Hills Dr., Eugene, OR 97408; (541)953-3173.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief, c/o of Eidsvold Lutheran Church.