Gretchen (Canada) Hendrickson

Gretchen Elaine (Canada) Hendrickson, 86, passed away at home surrounded by her family, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. She was born in Winchester, Indiana, on December 28, 1938 to Lee A. and Bernice E. (Moore) Canada.

She graduated from McKinley High School in 1956 and completed her Nursing degree in 1959 from St Lukes in St Louis, Missouri She began her nursing career immediately after graduation and worked in St Louis and Louisville, Kentucky. During her time in Louisville, she began dating Stanley Hendrickson. After a whirlwind 2 month romance they were engaged to be married. They moved back to Winchester, Indiana and were married on September 29, 1962. Upon her return, Gretchen worked at Reid Hospital, Union City Hospital, and Randolph County Hospital. She also worked as a nurse at the Migrant Camp in both Randolph and Jay County. In addition to nursing, she and Stanley built and ran the Cove Restaurant also known as the Time Out Restaurant in Winchester, Indiana and ran The Rainbow restaurant for a short time. Gretchen dedicated 54 years to nursing and retired from St Vincent’s Hospital (Randolph County Hospital) in 2013. She was a devoted member of the Countryside Christian Church.

Gretchen loved all of her family with all her heart. She particularly loved cooking large Sunday dinners for her family and we gathered together for lunch every Sunday without fail. She enjoyed watching her kids and grandchild play sports and cheering them on. Family vacations were a special time for Gretchen. Many memories were made traveling every year to Florida, Mexico and Arizona. Gretchen had a knack for growing flowers. Her front walk would be lined with them every Spring, Summer and Fall. Gretchen may have been small in stature but had a huge personality. She didn’t know a stranger and would lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She will be missed immensely by her family and those she touched during her lifetime.

She is survived by her loving husband, Stanley R. Hendrickson; her son, Ken Hendrickson; daughter, Krista Hendrickson; daughter Becky Kuehl; daughter in law, Lisa Hendrickson; grandson, Torin Hendrickson; sister Robin Hufnagle and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister Sheila Paxton and sister Carole Sue Mills.

Family and friends may gather to share and remember from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 20, 2025 at the Countryside Christian Church, 1212 E. 100 S., Winchester, IN. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, April 21st with additional time for visitation one hour before, at 10 a.m. Monday, April 21st. Burial will follow at the Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shalom Center Food Pantry in Memory of Gretchen E. Hendrickson, 527 E. Greenville Ave., Winchester, IN 47394

Walker Funeral Home in Winchester, Indiana is entrusted with the arrangements.  Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.walkerswinchester.com

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