Obituary of Lois Maxine Hendrickson

Lois Maxine (Ruohoniemi) Hendrickson, of Floodwood passed away on March 8, 2022 at the age of 88, at Villa Vista in Cromwell.

Lois was born on December 30, 1933, and adopted at the age of 8 by the Sanfrid Ruohoniemi Family.  Lois graduated from Floodwood High School in 1951, and married Walter Hendrickson on September 21, 1951. Lois and Wally were married for 55 years and raised three boys: Steve, Dave and Eric.  They owned and operated Wally’s Pool Hall from 1954 until 1979, which was a popular gathering place in Floodwood and the source of the many stories Lois loved to tell.   After the sale of the pool hall, Lois worked part-time and volunteered extensively in her community. She served on the Floodwood School Board for 15 years and on the Church Council of Hope Lutheran Church for 9 years.   Lois was deeply involved in many other activities over the years, including Dollars for Scholars and Floodwood Sports Boosters.  Lois enjoyed co-chairing Floodwood’s All-School Reunion and was a co-historian of Floodwood’s Centennial book, “A Flood of Memories”. 

Lois loved playing cards, gathering with friends and family, and cooking holiday meals.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Aili Cook; her adoptive parents, Sanfrid and Anna Ruohoniemi; her husband, Walter; granddaughter, Erin; and great grandson, Walter Tawan. 

Lois will be sadly missed by her children, Steven (Anne) of Coon Rapids, David (Shelley) of Eagan, Eric (Kelly) of Vadnais Heights; grandchildren, Jesse, Cy, Will and Haley; seven great grandchildren; her sister, Esther; her sisters-in-law, Helen and Sadie; her brothers, Doug and Dennis Cook; her step brothers and sisters; many nieces, nephews and friends.

A memorial service for Lois will be held on Saturday, April 23^rd at 2:00 PM (visitation at 1:00 PM) at Hope Lutheran Church in Floodwood. A reception will follow at the Floodwood Event Center at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hope Lutheran Church, Floodwood Dollars for Scholars or Floodwood Sports Boosters.

Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com