Conrad "Connie" E. Hendrickson

Conrad “Connie” Eugene Hendrickson, loving husband and father of three, passed away on December 17, 2020 at the age of 89 due to COVID-19 complications. Connie was born on September 23, 1931 in Viroqua, WI to Esther (Larson) and Torkel Hendrickson, a Norwegian immigrant farmer, the youngest of 4 siblings: twins Henry and Helen and Torval “Toby”. Connie and his parents contracted Lobar Pneumonia and both parents tragically died when he was only four. Connie and Toby were raised by their mother’s sister Aunt Ella and Uncle Harold Henry along with their own daughter Elizabeth “Betty” (Deaver). Connie graduated from Viroqua High School and later attended technical school for Telegraphy in Minneapolis and served in the Wisconsin National Guard. During high school he was captain and catcher for the baseball team and continued to play semi-pro ball for several years with the Viroqua Eagles and Rising Sun. He married Lorraine DeLap on Feb 24, 1952 and raised a daughter Lynn and two sons Carl and Alan. Connie started his life-long career in the lumber and millwork business at Taylor Lumber Company in Viroqua in 1951 which later took the family to Jesup, IA with Spahn & Rose Lumber, Prairie du Chien, WI as a salesman with Carr Adams and Collier and Rochester, MN in 1962 becoming a top salesman for the Radford Company before settling in Windsor WI in 1975 to open and manage the Madison office until 1981 when he founded Capital Sash and Door, now Capital Millwork. He took great pride that Alan followed in his footsteps becoming a noted craftsman and business owner. Connie was very dedicated to his business and continued working full-time from home until early December 2020. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He was a volunteer with the DeForest chapter of Ducks Unlimited for over 30 years and chairman for 10. Wetlands conservation was a cause he truly believed in. In 1989 Connie and Lorraine purchased a cabin, the ‘cottage’, in Hatfield WI that provided a great escape for the entire family. They loved spending time on Lake Arbutus with friends and family on the pontoon. Connie and his sons and son-in-law spent many hours renovating and building an addition to the cottage. Having Lorraine's brothers and their kids nearby at the DeLap cottage led to family gatherings on the beach and deer hunting every Fall. Connie lived an active sportsman’s lifestyle. Duck hunting at brother Hank's cottage on the Mississippi along with the famous duck feed was another tradition among family and old friends. He took up snowmobiling in his 70’s and it became his favorite winter pastime. He also loved golfing with his sons and close friends and was an avid Wisconsin sports fan from UW to Brewers and Packers. Connie is survived by his wife Lorraine (DeLap) of 68 years, three children: Carl (Luane) and Lynn (Mike) of Madison and Alan (Kim), of DeForest. He is also survived by his grandchildren Casey (Amber), Lerin (Shawn), Kristin (Brandon) and Brett (Alan and Kim) and two great-grandchildren Cameron and Graham (Casey and Amber). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esther and Torkel, his siblings Torval, Henry, and Helen. Connie and Lorraine were active members of the Windsor United Church of Christ where they frequently volunteered their time and effort to dinners and fund-raising events. When the church took on a major renovation, Capital Millwork built and donated a new wood cross and pulpit for the sanctuary. Contributions to a memorial in their name (to Windsor UCC) are greatly appreciated. Due to COVID, funeral services are delayed until June 18, 2021, visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am, at the Windsor UCC followed by burial on the 19th at 2:00 pm at the Viroqua Cemetery and a Celebration of Life to follow. Please check the Cremation Society of Madison website, obituaries, for updates and to share condolences.