Grace Luella Hendrix

No more hugs—Grace Luella Hendrix, known for her big hugs and loving embrace, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning, July 2, 2016, after a tough battle with cancer. Grace was 85 years old.

Grace was born near Otis, CO, on April 21, 1931, as the fourth child of Saxie and Joy Chadwick.  On September 5, 1948, Grace married Andrew J. Hendrix. They settled on a ranch south of Otis in 1949. Together they had five children and helped to raise two of their grandchildren. Grace was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. 

She was always warm and welcoming to visitors. She was well-known for her culinary talents in cooking and baking and was often specifically requested to furnish contributions for class suppers and bake sales as her children were growing up, as well as providing cinnamon rolls for the local café when her grandchildren were young. Her talents in the kitchen didn’t stop with the meals and treats she shared with family and friends though, as she was also known for producing beautifully decorated cakes for weddings and special occasions of close friends and family.

Grace was also a talented seamstress. She made several wedding gowns, including that of her daughter and daughter-in-law and countless tailor-made clothes for her granddaughter and others throughout the years, sometimes creating her own patterns just from sketches provided to her. Grace crocheted, cross-stitched, and did many other craft items that yielded afghans, doilies, and other creative items she enjoyed giving to friends and family. She was often approached by strangers wanting to purchase her handiwork and usually turned them away—her philosophy was that she didn’t create these things for profit but rather that she enjoyed making things with her own hands and put her heart and love into them so she wanted people she cared about to have them. Even well into her illness, she continued to pursue quilting. These quilts frequently featured hand-embroidered blocks and she would say, “Oh, it’s kind of silly. I don’t know who will need these, but I enjoy it and it keeps me busy.” Indeed, Grace was never one for idleness. She always met the familiar refrain many mother has heard, “I’m bored,” with, “I always have something to do; I’m never bored.”

She was strong in her faith and was a very active member of Otis First Presbyterian Church, filling the role of deacon during part of her membership. She had strong ties to this church family and will be deeply missed.

Grace was preceded in death by her parents, husband Andrew John, 2 children, Lucinda Joy "Kim" Iven (John), Mark Andrew (Maureen),  brother, Ellsworth Chadwick; brother, William "Bill" Chadwick and sister Mary Jean Fincher.  She is survived by a brother, Lowell (Marlene) Chadwick; three children, Kathleen Ann (Kurt) Rasmussen; Dale John Hendrix, Alan Duane Hendrix; grandchildren, Andrea (Mike) Spridgen, William Brandon Wilde, Kajsa Rae Rasmussen Anderson (Michael), Karl Douglas Rasmussen, Klinton Olaf Rasmussen, Justin Adam Hendrix, Jessica Lauren Hendrix, Marshal Dorn Hendrix, Maclain Andrew Hendrix, and Ryan James Hubbell; as well 10 great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces and nephews and a wealth of friends.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Otis, CO, on Saturday, July 9, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. with Randall Feather officiating. Interment will follow at the Otis Cemetery. The Baucke Funeral Home of Yuma will direct the service.   

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memoriam to the First Presbyterian Church.