Geraldine “Jerry” Nielsen Hendricks

Geraldine (Jerry) Nielsen Hendricks passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on August 27, 2026, in Irmo, S.C.

Jerry was born April 2, 1930, to Nephi Nielsen and Lillian Ames Nielsen at Mink Creek, Idaho in the family homestead log cabin. She was the third of four children.

Her early schooling was in Mink Creek, Idaho. She attended high school in Preston, Idaho, graduating with honors in 1948. She met Robert (Bob) S. Hendricks when his family bought a farm close by hers in Mink Creek. They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on November 24, 1948.

Bob and Jerry spent many years in Idaho Falls, where running Don Wilson and Skyline Drugstores were a very large part of their lives. She enjoyed going to her children’s events and teaching skills such as sewing and music.

Jerry was a master of trades. She played the violin in high school, including a solo for her graduation, and later played for both the Spokane Chamber Orchestra and the Idaho Falls Symphony. She was an expert seamstress and crocheted over 100 afghans for family members and friends. She was a gifted teacher and loved to teach Gospel Doctrine and teenagers in Sunday School class. She also spent many years working on family history.

In 1985 she earned a business degree with emphasis in computer programming. She used those skills working in payroll for the Idaho National Laboratories prime contractor E.G.&G.

In 1991, Bob and Jerry moved to St. George and loved being close to their eldest daughter and her family. Bob and Jerry served three missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: St. George Visitor Center and Historical Sites mission, New Zealand Wellington Mission and a mission in the Washington D.C. temple. They also loved serving in the St. George Temple.

Jerry is survived by her 5 children, many precious grandchildren, great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Her children are Karen (Mel) Wittwer, St. George, UT.; Susan (Jim) Clawson, Charlottesville, VA.; Steven (Tammy) Hendricks, Atascadero, CA.; Ellen (Bradley) Duncan, Idaho Falls, ID.; and Amy (Duane) Bascom, Irmo, S.C. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert S. Hendricks, her sister Merna Condie, brothers Mardell and Ken Nielsen and her great grandchild McKala Wittwer.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 19th at Metcalf Bonzo Funeral Home in St. George, Utah at 10:00 a.m. The family will visit with friends 9:00-9:45a.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the St. George Tonaquint Cemetery.