mike and ruth

On April 3, 2011, after giving us her tender and loving smiles and kisses, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, Dorothy Kennard Hendriksen slipped away from this life and returned to her Heavenly Father. She endured a long and difficult illness cheerfully and graciously. She is finally free from all suffering and limitations and enjoying a reunion with her mother and other family members.

Dorothy was born on November 25, 1928, the 3rd child of Frank and Elinor Scholes Kennard, in Brigham City, Utah. When she was almost 3 years old, her young mother suddenly died after a surgical procedure. She then lived with her Scholes grandparents for several years, until her father married Gladys Bischoff, who became the mother of ten additional siblings. Dorothy spent her childhood years as an “army brat,” moving often with her large family because of her father’s assignments as an army officer. The family finally settled in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from East High School.

Dorothy had a great love for music. She was an accomplished flutist and had a beautiful singing voice. She sang in the East High A’cappella Choir (as both a junior and a senior!), and was also part of a vocal group that sang regularly on live radio. In 1947 she was called to sing in the “Message of the Ages” pageant choir, part of the Utah Pioneer Centennial celebration. It was there that Dorothy spotted a handsome bass with a beautiful voice, Oscar Hendriksen. She “chased him until he caught her.” They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on January 28, 1949. Their 62 years of love and devotion for each other has been a great example to family and friends.

Dorothy and Oscar sang together throughout their lives, blessing others with their talent. They sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for many years, and enjoyed traveling worldwide with the choir. As children were added to the family, Dorothy worked tirelessly to make sure that each one had the opportunity to develop musical talents. Each child received instruction on the piano and at least one other instrument. Mom was passionate about making sure that each of us practiced regularly and correctly.

Service was an important part of Dorothy’s life, and was always offered with diligence and excellence. She served faithfully in many ward and stake leadership positions, including 23 years as Ward Choir Director. She also served in civic and community organizations including time as president of the Utah Peace Officers Association Auxiliary, and the South High School PTA.

Dorothy was a loving mother and grandmother and is survived by her husband Oscar, children Leslie (Sherman) Anderson, Michael (Ruth), Daniel (Karen), Neil (Marie), Eric (Elaine), Mark (Judy), Elinor (John) Sargent, and Laurel Enke, 39 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren, and counting. Also survived by her sister Rose Hoffmann, and by brothers James B., Aaron D., Lee G., Raeburn G., Roger B., Joseph C., and Royal C. Kennard. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Winnifred Call, F. Ralph Kennard, Marie Tayler, Robert Kennard, and a great granddaughter, Jennifer Dastrup.

Services will be held on Friday April 8, 2011, 12:00 noon, at Hunter Village Ward, 7035 West Loch Ness Avenue (3600 South), West Valley UT. Friends may call at Larkin Mortuary 260 E.South Temple in Salt Lake City, on Thursday evening April 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and the day of the services from 10:30 to 11:45 at the meeting house.

The family wishes to express deep thanks and appreciation for the tender and loving services of Legacy Village Memory Care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Center for Alzheimer’s Care ‘Gift to Life Program’ at the University of Utah: http://uuhsc.utah.edu/cacir/gift.html. Interment at Redwood Memorial Estates, West Jordan, UT.