Laurene Hendricks Obituary

Laurene Ann Hendricks, 65, passed away Thursday, January 12, 2023, at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines, Iowa. The service will be livestreamed. Please scroll to the bottom of this page 15 minutes prior to the service starting, and click on the live link. The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Valley Church in West Des Moines. Services will be held at 10:00 am Friday, January 20, 2023 at Valley Church. A private family burial will follow at Jordan Cemetery in West Des Moines. The family invites you to join them for a lunch at 11:30 am at Valley Church following the private family burial.

Laurene, a sixth-generation Iowan, was born October 4, 1957, in Marshalltown, to Lawrence and Jeanine (Raffensperger) Lyman. She married Gary Hendricks on December 2, 1978 in Des Moines at First Federated Church. The two made their home in Beaverdale where they raised their only child, Elizabeth.

Laurene was a member of the Hoover High School class of 1975. Most recently she was a Program Planner for the Iowa Department of Public Health and was a dedicated state employee for 39 years. She was a member of the Iowa Prayer Breakfast Committee and attended Point of Grace and Valley Church.

First and foremost, Laurene was a Christ follower. She loved to sing, listen to 70s music and Christian worship, and watch Iowa sports. She had an appreciation for meteorology, science fiction, and grocery stores. She loved to craft, to talk, to listen, was a terrific proofreader, and enjoyed a good deal (especially Kohl’s cash). She had proudly worked on the staff of Governor Terry E. Branstad, and volunteered on political campaigns and events like Night to Shine. She loved to spend time with family, friends, and co-workers, and was a proud grandma. She was a cancer and transplant survivor and was a strong, yet gentle woman.

Laurene is survived by her husband, Gary Hendricks; daughter, Elizabeth (Stephen) Ferguson; grandson, Isaac Ferguson; parents, Lawrence and Jeanine Lyman; brother, Lynden (Amy) Lyman; brothers-in-law, Ron (Rosie) Hendricks and Dr. James “Kleo” Kleanthous; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Elaine Kleanthous, and her sister-in-law, Diane (Eike) Hendricks.

Livestream link available here https://youtube.com/live/RUhshYiXRvM?feature=share
Memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa Prayer Breakfast, care of Bonnie Smalley, 10830 Lincoln Ave, Clive, Iowa 50325 or at https:/iowaprayerbreakfast.com/donate/. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.

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