Roger D. Hendrickson

POYNETTE/LODI – Roger D. Hendrickson, age 92, of Lodi, went to his heavenly home, early Monday morning, June 10, 2019. 

Roger was born on March 20, 1927, in his grandparents little farm house on Phillips Road in the Township of Wyocena, the son of Ira and Elzora (Lumby) Hendrickson.  His parents then moved to Poynette, where he lived, worked and attended school.  He graduated from Poynette High School in 1944. Soon thereafter he joined the United States Navy and took his “Boots” (Basic Training) at Farragut, Idaho, known to be one of the toughest boot camps.  He graduated from Navy Corp School and was then assigned to the Naval Hospital in Astoria, Oregon.  From there he was transferred to a small hospital ship at Pier 91, Seattle, Washington.  Later he became a Medical Tech on troop trains across the United States for about 3 months and was then ordered to Flight Corpsman School at Olathe, Kansas.  After graduation he flew on hospital planes, transporting Navy and Marine casualties from the Pacific to V.A. hospitals closest to their homes.  Roger received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1946 and the “inactive” Naval Reserve in 1947. 

On October 12, 1947 Roger married Natalie Hansen in the Presbyterian Church in Poynette.  While attending UW-Stevens Point he was called back to active duty.  Roger and Natalie moved to Madison and he began his career in the Air Force at Truax Field in Madison.  In 1952 they moved back to Poynette and bought the home where Natalie was born and raised.  The Air Force Base eventually became the Air National Guard where Roger worked for 36 years and retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1985.  He had over 41 years of service.  Roger and Natalie lived in the family home until 1979 where they raised four children and remained active in the community.  Roger served on the Poynette-Dekorra Fire Department for 20 years, the Village Board, the Building Committee for the new high school built in 1962, and was Adjutant of American Legion Post 271.  Roger and Natalie were longtime members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Poynette and Eastside Lutheran Church in Madison after moving back to Madison in 1979.  Roger volunteered as the Director of the Retired Activity office for the Air Guard.  During those years they traveled extensively throughout the United States.      

Roger is survived by Natalie, his wife of 71 years and their four children, Cynthia (David) Rowe, of Poynette, Brad (Gail) Hendrickson, of Pardeeville, April (Don, deceased) Woodruff, of New London and Darcey (Andy) Pipping, of Fountain Hills, Arizona; his sister-in-law, Pat Hendrickson.  Also surviving are 10 of his 12 grandchildren, Christopher Rowe, Jenna Van Beek, Lacie Gorde, Kyle and Kelly Hendrickson, Dustin Woodruff, Tara Woodruff, Ryan Woodruff, Tiffany Woodruff, Quinn Schoeneberg; 20 great-grandchildren, Luke and Elijah Van Beek, Evelyn, Marian and Oliver Rowe, Austin Gorde, Aayden, “Little” Kelly, Baylan, Aveigha, Trenton and Graynger Hendrickson, Emily and Alexa Howard, Emily Woodruff-Buchanan, Elliot, Natalie, Wyatt and Calista Woodruff, Hollis and Lian Schoeneberg, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Elzora Hendrickson, his sister, Norene (Bill) Linenfelser, brother, Merle Hendrickson, two grandsons, Trenton Hendrickson and Ian Schoeneberg.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Poynette, with Rev. Nathan Berg officiating.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon on Saturday at the funeral home.  A luncheon will be served at the Poynette Village Hall.  Inurnment will be held at a later date at Hillside Cemetery in Poynette.