Jill LaJean Hendrickson, 51

Jill LaJean Hendrickson, 51, of Blair, died Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at First Lutheran Church in Blair with lunch following in the church social hall. After lunch, burial service will be in the Lyons Cemetery in Lyons. Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Tuesday at Ludvigsen Funeral Home in Fremont with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

Jill LaJean was born to Reno and Lucille (Guill) Hendrickson on Aug. 4, 1963, in Oakland.

She lived with her family on a farm east of Lyons by Divide Center, where she was baptized at the Presbyterian Church on Feb. 16, 1964.

After her father died in December 1969, Jill moved to Fremont with her mother and brother Kelly.

Jill attended the Opportunity Center in Fremont and continued her education at Fremont High School where she graduated on May 18, 1984. After graduation, she began working at ENCOR. Through ENCOR, she worked at Comfort Inn and the ENCOR workshop.

In March of 2010, Jill and her mother moved to Good Shepherd Lutheran Community in Blair. Jill’s mother died in March of 2011. Jill continued to reside at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community.

Jill loved Special Olympics and was very involved in the Fremont chapter. She participated in swimming, bowling, and track and field at the local level and also the annual Nebraska State Special Olympic Games, winning numerous medals and ribbons for her efforts. She was named to the Hall of Fame in 1980. She was chosen to participate in the International Special Olympics in Baton Rouge, La., in 1983.

She also loved football, especially the Huskers.

Jill loved her family and her family felt blessed to have her in their lives. She brought them much joy and many fond memories. Jill was loved by everyone that knew her.

Jill actively attended the special-needs Sunday School class at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Fremont for 40 years. She was confirmed on July 23, 1989.

She is survived by sisters: Nancy (Richard) Ayer of Elkhorn, Mary (Andy) Anderson of Lincoln, Peggy (Gary) Christoffersen of Kennard and JoAnn Hendrickson of Beatrice; brother Jerry (Mary) Hendrickson of Fremont; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Kelly.

Omaha World Herald 9 Feb 2015

Hendrickson, Jill LaJean Age 51 Blair formerly of Fremont. Survived by sisters, Nancy (Richard) Ayer, Elkhorn, Mary (Andy) Anderson, Lincoln, Peggy (Gary) Christoffersen, Kennard, JoAnn Hendrickson, Beatrice; brother, Jerry (Mary) Hendrickson, Fremont. FUNERAL SERVICE 10:30am Wednesday, First Lutheran Church, Blair. VISITATION Tuesday, Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont 3-8pm with family 6-8pm. Memorials to Fremont's Special Olympics and Good Shepherd Home in Blair. Committal Lyons, NE Cemetery. LUDVIGSEN MORTUARY Fremont, NE 402-721-4440 online guestbook @ www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~