Zelta Hendricks

Zelta Hendricks, 89, of Pocatello, formerly of Rigby, died Tuesday, June 28, 2011, at the Pocatello Care and Rehab Center. Zelta was born to Oral and Beatrice Walker on August 16, 1921, in Lewisville, Idaho. She has seven sisters and one brother. She attended Rigby High School. She earned her R. N. in 1942, at the LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls. In August 1943, she went into the United States Army Air Force as a second lieutenant. She loved nursing and after the military in 1946, she worked at the Denver Children’s Hospital. She returned to Rigby to set up the Tall Medical Clinic with Drs. Alden and Asael Tall. In 1950, she bought and ran the Hendricks Maternity Hospital in Rigby until 1953. In 1956, they moved to Pocatello. She worked at Bannock Memorial Hospital from 1966 until 1984. On March 5, 1947, she married James Andrew (Andy) Hendricks in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. To this union they added 5 sons. She has always been active working with the youth, and at age 16 was the leader of the 12-year-old girls. She enjoyed the Young Women’s program and worked in it for most of her life and earned her Young Women’s medallion. She served for 15 years as a Cub Scot Leader and 21 years as a merit badge counselor. In 1971 she was awarded the Silver Fawn, and was one of only 1500 ladies to receive this award. Her husband Andy earned his Silver Beaver in 1977. She has been active in Daughters of the Utah pioneers since 1954, and in 1999 earned her Faith in Fortitude Award. She has been active in the American Legion auxiliary since 1970, and has done Girls’ State since 1972. She has been active in Zonta, and received her Distinguished Women’s Achiever of the Year in 1988. She has been a member of LaDeSa. She served as an officiator in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple from 1980 to 1998. Zelta and Andy were called to the West Indies Mission and served in the Bahamas in April 1984. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed gardening, camping, and most of all, spending time with her family. She is survived by her sons, Brian James (Cora Lee) Hendricks, of Soda Springs, Idaho, Kim Walker (Mary Kay) Hendricks, of Boise, Idaho, Greg Andrew (Janell) Hendricks, of Pocatello, Idaho Kirk Kevin (Mary) Hendricks, of Pocatello, Idaho, Brent Lynn (Barbara) Hendricks, of Meridian, Idaho, sisters, Enid Storer, of Idaho Falls, Wilma Beatrice (Betty) Lewis, of Sandy, Utah, Barbara Neiwirth, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Lennis Dabell, of Rigby, Idaho, Sharon Marlene (Dennis) Jones, of Rigby, Idaho, Marsha Lynn (Blaine) Smith, of Rexburg, brother, Eldon Holmes (Dorothy) Walker of West Valley, Utah, 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 2, 2011, at the LDS Church on Walnut Street in Pocatello. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Friday evening and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., prior to services, both at the church. Burial will be in the Ashton Cemetery, under the care of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.