Elvira Hendrickson

Elvira Stearns Hendrickson, 87, of Jackson entered into her eternal home Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 9, 1928 in Perryville, Missouri, to Julius A. and Albertine Hornberger Weber. She was baptized, confirmed and married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville. On June 22, 1947, she was joined in marriage to W. Kenneth Stearns, and four children were born to this union. She later married James H. Hendrickson on July 13, 1987, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Mother was known as an excellent cook. She loved gardening, canning and tending to her flowers. For many years she cooked for the Concordia Guild of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where she helped to serve grieving families.

She retired from the radiation oncology department at SoutheastHEALTH and was deputy clerk of the Cape Girardeau County Magistrate Court for many years.

She is survived by a son, Bill Stearns (Donna Payne); daughters Sandra Stearns Hughey and Debra Stearns (Joe) McIntire; stepson James (Dr. Karen) Hendrickson; grandsons Tyler (Theresa) Stearns, Clayton Durant, Taylor (Michelle) Durant, Mackenzie (Michelle) Stearns, Rhett (Jennifer) Hendrickson and Ryan Hendrickson; granddaughter Jessica (Keith Metcalf) Stearns; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Georgia Stearns Carron of Perryville. In addition, she is survived by her Hornberger and Weber first cousins, who remained close to her heart throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Kenneth Wayne Stearns; husband James Hendrickson; and stepfather Harry Van Voelker.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Funeral Home-Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, with the Rev. Josh Schmidt officiating. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Concordia Guild of St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.