Dan L. Hendrick, 95
Dan L. Hendrick, 95, passed away on July 18, 2021, at The HealthCenter.
Dan was born July 28, 1925, to Loyd and Clara Hendrick, in Albion, Nebraska. He joined a sister Marjorie at the family home.
In 1930 the family moved to Beaver City, Nebraska. He attended grade and high school in Beaver City, graduating from high school in 1942. World War II was in progress and he, along with a close friend, joined the Merchant Marines; they were sent to the South Pacific. He witnessed the war first hand while his fleet delivered supplies to the front lines. He was at sea when the news came the war had ended. He said the Marines were beyond happy to know they soon would be returning to their homes in the USA; many were not so lucky.
After the war he returned to Nebraska and attended Nebraska Tech, graduating in 1948. He met and married Margie Lou Eicher. They moved to Boulder, Colorado. There they raised their three children, Blake, Dan and Jana. Dan enjoyed many happy events with his children and was always very proud of their achievements.
After his divorce he married Alma “Ruth” Dowd and they moved to Columbia Falls. He bought and developed the 150-acre Hoot Owl Ranch, go-kart track, batting range, mini-golf and a campground. Ruth passed away in 1988.
In 1991 he met and married Arlene Logan. Together they had many busy, happy years. They enjoyed fun times with their grandchildren who spent many summers with them. They had a great group of friends and neighbors to go camping, fishing, dancing, traveling, card playing, backcountry horse trips and lots of business ventures that were successful and exciting. Life was good and in later years Dan started doing beautiful art projects, the results he shared with family and friends. He always had a project in the works.
He was an inspiration to all who met him. He lived his life to the fullest and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He will be greatly missed but our lives were enriched to know him and call him husband, dad, grandpa and friend.
Dan was preceded by his parents Loyd and Clara Hendrick, and son Blake Hendrick.
He is survived by his wife Arlene, son Dan Hendrick, wife Sue, of Niwot, Colorado, daughter Jana McCarter of Kerrville, Texas; stepchildren, Dawn Jacobson, husband Dan of Whitefish, Chad Olson, wife Kristi of Antelope, Montana, and Scott Olson of Lewistown; grandchildren, Kara Lamb, Travis Hendrick, Kelly Skidmore, Jake McCarter, Jennifer Castro and Matt Hendrick; stepgrandchildren, Nathan Bartz, Garrett Melton, Thane Melton, Erin Dell, Alexa Olson, Ashley Olson, Taylor Olson, Risa Hedges, Trevor Erickson, Andrew Erickson and Chelsea Clark; many great-grandchildren, and loved by all.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday July 23, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork, with a reception to follow.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.