Carol E Hendricks

On September 29th, the Lord called up Carol Evangeline Hendricks to be with him. She passed surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.

Carol was born on November 6, 1938, to Robert Lauren and Anna Mary (Peterson) Caughey in Brainerd and was raised on a farm south of Brainerd, where family, faith and hard work became an important part of the women she would become.

Carol married Robert Thompson in 1958 and together were blessed with four children Thomas, Timothy, Tamara and Terry. Carol raised her family just south of Brainerd and devoted herself to her children. She taught them the value of hard work, the importance of family, and most of all, what it meant to love and care for one another.

After 20 years of marriage Carol and Robert divorced.

Her boys became avid race car drivers in the Midwest which Carol embraced by cheering them on and even joining in on the fun. Carol was the first woman to win the Powder Puff races at North Central Speedway in Brainerd and was soon participating in other races and even racing snowmobiles. She attended a senior dance event at the Eagles Club in Brainerd, where she met Robert (Bob) Hendricks, and became his wife in 1987. She considered him the love of her life. Carol and Bob made their home on South Long Lake, where they shared many happy years together. They loved to travel and were fortunate to see many places around the world, creating wonderful memories along the way, After working 30 years as a bookkeeper for Independent Petroleum in Brainerd, she retired at the age of 72. She spent her now free time enjoying gardening, long walks, bible studies, several womens groups, playing cards at the VFW, fishing, going on side-by-side rides with family, and helping in the kitchen during golf tournaments at Cuyuna Rolling Hills in Deerwood. For 60 years she was a member of a birthday club with her neighborhood friends.

Carol had a deep love for the lord, and faith carried her throughout her life. She met life’s challenges with strength and determination but also met life with a smile. She had a way of making people feel loved, supported and cared for.

More than anything Carol loved her family. She was always there - encouraging, nurturing, helping, and cheering everyone on. She was her family’s biggest champion. If you had a dream Carol believed in you. If you started a new adventure, she wanted to hear all about it. And if life became difficult, she was there to remind you that you were loved and that she was in your corner.

Carol especially loved Christmas. Nothing made her happier than having her children and grandchildren under one roof. She would begin planning and plotting the family Christmas months ahead of time, looking forward to the traditions, the laughter, the excitement, and simply being together. For Carol Christmas wasn’t about the presents, it was about having the people she loved gathered around her. Those Christmas’s will remain treasured memories for years.

Those who knew Carol will remember her smile, her wonderful laugh, her strength, her faith and the way she loved her family with her whole heart. She gave freely of herself and took genuine joy in the accomplishments of people she loved.

Carol is lovingly remembered by her four children, Thomas (Tami Webb) Timothy (Rae) Tamara (Richard Felton) Terry (Natalie Saatoff): Her 10 grandchildren, Stefanie, Terrell, Tara, Lindsey, Taylor, Nate, Zachery, Reese, Kyle, Spencer and 12 great grandchildren Shelbee, Chloe, Kyla, Aubrey, Benny, Hadley, Nash, Leo, Abram, Arlo, Axel and Owen; and sister Virginia Caughey.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Robert ” Bob” Hendricks; her parents Robert Lauren and Anna Mary Caughey; her brothers Howard, Kenneth, and Russell; and her sisters, Colleen and Alice.

Carol leaves behind far more them memories, she leaves behind the love she gave, the traditions she created, the lessons she taught, and a family that is stronger because of her. She will be deeply missed, but her family finds comfort in knowing that the faith that guided Carol through her life has now brought her home.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday October 19, 2026 at 12:00pm at the Halvorson Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the start of the service. Lunch will be served following the service. A private family graveside service will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.