Henry "Butch" John Hendricks Jr.

Henry “Butch” John Hendricks, Jr. passed away peacefully at home into the arms of Jesus, the morning of December 20, 2025, after a brief and courageous fight against cancer. His devoted wife Mary, was by his side, then and always. Butch was surrounded by his loving family, whom he cherished.

Butch was born in Cumberland, WI on May 15, 1956, to Joyce and Henry Hendricks, Sr. He grew up in Rice Lake, WI, and most recently lived in Woodville, WI, for the past nineteen years. Throughout his youth, Butch enjoyed being in bowling leagues with his family, hunting, gardening, and helping his Dad, spending summers with his great-grandfather in northern Michigan and working on his aunt & uncle’s farm in Cumberland. Butch graduated from Rice Lake High School and attended WITC to be trained as a Machine Tool Operator. He met the love of his life, Mary, through mutual high school friends, whom he lovingly called “Dear,” and they remained together for the rest of his life through thick & thin. He spent many years working and living in Rice Lake, where he raised his family, prior to moving to western Wisconsin.

He spent twenty years working as an Asset Manager in the healthcare industry, including the last 13 years of his career at Hometown Senior Living, an assisted living company which he co-owned and operated with his family in the Hudson, WI and east Twin Cities areas. After a long hardworking career, in 2021, his family sold Hometown and he and his wife were fortunate to transition into retirement together.

Butch was a deeply committed and loving family man. From day one, he was always there for his children and grandchildren - from school events, sports, moves, major life events & times of need, to anything that needed fixing, repairs or building - his family & friends could ALWAYS depend on him. Butch was a loyal friend to many and truly embodied what it means to be a servant-hearted helper and generous man.

He loved spending time Up North at the family cabin near Barnes, WI. Like his Dad, the cabin was his favorite place to be: sitting around the bonfire enjoying a Busch Light, four-wheeling & leading everyone to the best trails and mudpits, checking in on neighbor friends, “putzin’ around” building and fixing anything and everything, playing cards & shooting pool, and of course, deer hunting season. The fall was his favorite time of year - from bow season, to early season with the guys, scouting & getting ready for gun season, and the annual deer hunt with his Dad, brother, sons and grandson. Butch LOVED when Carrie made her secret chocolate chip cookie recipe for all the hunters to enjoy; a special father-daughter tradition she started when she was 8 years old.

Forever playful, Butch was a kindhearted and engaged grandfather, always up for any silliness with his grandchildren. He was always ready to play hair salon with his granddaughters, was never without candy to pull from their ears, and loved to celebrate New Year's with silly string. He had a special and close relationship with his daughter Carrie, a daddy’s girl; she was his “pumpkin.” He did anything for her, and she admired him. He was very proud of his sons, Greg & Jeff. They looked up to him in so many ways - his leadership, bravery, strength & resilience, life lessons, and what it means to be a loving father & husband. Butch was a welcoming father-in-law, extending the feeling of belonging right away. He thought of Elizabeth as a daughter.

He made the most of his later adult years: visiting his son and granddaughters in Boston many times; spending time kicking back at his condo in Marco Island, Florida; traveling the world with his wife and family; RV trips with Mary out west; time with his dogs; pool league nights; and never missing a Packers game (Go Pack Go).

Butch is survived by his wife of 48 years, Mary Hendricks and his three children Gregory (Elizabeth) Hendricks, Jeffrey Hendricks and Caroline Hendricks(Carrie); and his seven grandchildren Colton, Maddelyn, Emilia, Sloane, Audrey, Reagan and Victoria. He is further survived by his siblings: Rose (Don) Postle, Lyle (Diane) Hendricks, Cindy (John) Muench; and Mary’s sisters Lynn (Tim) Bliek, Lora Cobb, and Roxane (Randy) Amans; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father Henry Hendricks, Sr.; mother Joyce Hendricks Green; father & mother-in-law Edmund & Mary Kokesh and Caroline DeLawyer Kokesh; brother-in-law John Kokesh; brother-in-law James Cobb; nephew Tyler Cobb; his loving Grandparents & Great-Grandparents.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all Mayo Clinic Providers, Nurses, and Caregivers in Eau Claire and Rochester, along with the support of St Croix Hospice. Butch’s family extends our most sincere appreciation to Samantha Alexander, RN, and LeeAnne Graetz for their unwavering and loyal friendship and dedication, assisting in caring for him during his peaceful last days at home, before Butch went to his eternal home in heaven.

Please join us for a Visitation on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at O’Connell Family Funeral Homes in Baldwin, WI. (1010 Newton St.). Visitation will be followed by a Celebration of Life and dinner from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at The Phoenix Grill in Baldwin (2095 10th Ave.). Funeral Services will be at New Life Church of Woodbury (6758 Bailey Rd., Woodbury, MN) on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing from 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to services. Light luncheon social to follow.