Shirley Henrickson Obituary

May 2, 1930 – April 29, 2016 Shirley Henrickson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle passed away peacefully at his home in Arlington, Wash. supported by his loving family. He was born on May 2, 1930, one of eight children to William Leroy Henrickson and Edith Belle Simerson, in Cascade, Idaho. The family settled in the Roosevelt area in 1938. Shirley followed in the agricultural footsteps of his father and was active in 4H and FFA participating in Dairy Judging and Showmanship with many honors at the State and National Level. Shirley graduated from Snohomish High School in 1951 where he met his sweetheart, Virginia Roholt. They continued to date while attending Washington State College where Shirley was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and on the Dairy Judging team. They were married in 1955 and lived in married student housing on campus where they formed great friendships that continue to this day. By the time Shirley graduated in 1958 they had completed their family with two children. Armed with a BS in Agriculture and a teaching credential, Shirley taught High School Agriculture in Everson and Oakville, Wash. until he took a chance on adventure by moving the young family to Alaska to manage a dairy processing plant in 1961. Life in Alaska was not a great fit. Soon after, Shirley accepted a position in Dairy Nutrition /Sales Mgmt in the San Joaquin Valley of California, living most of those years in Hanford. In 1978, Shirley and Virginia put it all on the line to buy a 220 cow, 13-acre dairy farm in Platteville, Colorado. Along with their son, Gary, and later their grandson, Jerod, Bella Holsteins now milks 2200 cows and farms over 3,000 acres. Shirley was very proud of the three-generation legacy of the dairy. After his retirement in the mid-90's, Shirley and Virginia took three international cruises and hit the road with their annual snowbird trips to Mesa, Arizona and traveling the states in their motorhome making friends wherever they went. They officially moved back to Washington in 1998 eventually settling in Arlington. An Alumni WSC Cougar fan first, Shirley rooted for the LA Rams and Denver Broncos but eventually embraced the Seattle teams and rarely missed a Seahawks or Mariner's game. He enjoyed camping, fishing and was an avid golfer. In the last years he took up model ship building and exhibited during the Wooden Boat Show in Seattle. Shirley is survived by Virginia, his loving wife of 60 years; his children: Cynthia Graham of Everett and son, Gary Henrickson and daughter-in-law, Roberta of Greeley, Colorado; grandchildren: Tiffany (Rob) Manning of Waukee, Iowa and Jerod (Jennifer) Henrickson of Platteville, Colorado; a Granddog, Tango; Great-grandchildren Dylan, Owen and Barrett Manning of Waukee, Iowa and Mackenzee, Colton and Morgan Henrickson of Platteville, Colorado; a sister, Norma Finer of Green Bay, Wisconsin and sister-in-law, Joyce Henrickson of Camano Island, Wash. and Jackie Owens; numerous nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by his brothers and sister-in-laws: Lee (Eileen), Arnold (Theresa), Harley (Phyllis), Lawrence and Ernie Henrickson, and sister and brother-in-law: Evelyn (George) Pearl; son-in-law, Jerry Graham, great-granddaughter, Madilynn Grace Manning; dear friends: Gail and Geneva Nebeker and several nieces and nephews. Shirley was a positive, happy person whose enthusiasm for life was contagious. He considered the love of his family as his greatest achievement and often talked about what a great life he had lived. Shirley was comforted by his Christian faith and was fully prepared for the journey ahead. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him! A service to celebrate Shirley's life will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the Atonement Free Lutheran Church, 6905 172nd Street NE Arlington, WA; reception to follow. Donations may be made to: Hospice c/o Evergreen Health Foundation – 12040 NE 128th St. MS #5 – Kirkland, WA 98034.