Carol May Hendricks

Carol May Hendricks, 90, passed away surrounded by family at her home in Sioux City on November 18, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 10, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father David Esquiliano as Celebrant.   Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday, December 9^th from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel with family present at 6:00 p.m. and a Vigil/Remembrance Service at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening.  Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

She was born Carol May Detches on January 17, 1932 in Sioux City where she lived her entire life. She was the daughter of Paul and Pauline Detches and attended Central High School. One of her favorite jobs in her youth was working as an usher at the Capital Theater in downtown Sioux City. She called it her “brush with show business.”

In 1950 she married Thomas F. Hendricks and commenced raising a family that grew to 10 children. She worked as a lunch mom in the school cafeteria and stayed deeply involved in all events as her children moved through the school system.

Throughout her life she was the root and structure of a large family tree. As the eldest child in a family of 6, she learned responsibility early and carried that forward with her own family of 10 children. A natural giver for so many neighbors and friends, Carol was the one everyone sought out to help deal with the hurdles faced in life, as well as the first one to share a joke with. She welcomed everyone whether they just wanted a chat, possibly a haircut or for matters much more serious. Every one of her children and all 20 grandchildren had the feeling they were her “favorite.” That feeling endures.

After raising her family, she returned to school in her late forties and was employed as a Mental Health Technician. She loved the work and remained in that field for 15 years before retirement.

She could fill a room with laughter with her sharp wit, hilarious impressions and well-honed insights. She was well-read and would quote song lyrics as well as current events. Never one to sit still, she traveled to Europe multiple times and to many stateside destinations. Her activism in politics was a lifelong passion that was recognized by a photo spread and lengthy quote in the New York Times in 2016, when she was 84 years old!

She is survived by her sister Mary (Detches) Cole of Las Vegas, New Mexico and her brother Patrick Detches of Columbia, South Carolina as well as 9 children: Thomas Jr (Linda) Hendricks, Patrick Hendricks, Jim (Michelle) Hendricks, Joe Hendricks, Mary A. (Hendricks) Tope, Carol S. (Don) Drilling, John Hendricks, Tim (Lauri) Hendricks, Mark (Shelley) Hendricks and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas in 1990, son Michael in 2022, daughters-in-law Amy Hendricks and Barb Cameron, and 3 brothers, Rodney, Roger and Arthur “Danny” Detches.

Livestream for the Rosary & Vigil Service:

https://youtu.be/zm8msdZesvY

Livestream for the Mass of Christian Burial:

https://youtu.be/rToOY8EpgYs