Hendricks Foundation

04/24/2026

***UPDATE: 4-24-26. THANK YOU, Donors. We inched the thermomter upwards to show the recents gifts received for the downtown green space. Help us reach our GOAL!!
The Venmo code allows for an easy way to contribute with your smart phone. (Locate the Venmo code in the foundation’s ad in the March 5th issue of the Hendricks Pioneer and on the banner at the green space. Also shown in the post below.)
When you “Donate Local”, you are assured that your gift will stay in Hendricks and benefit the community. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Help us reach our GOAL. Gifts may be mailed to:
Hendricks Foundation, PO Box 73, Hendricks, MN 56136.
Thank you in advance. Great things can happen here when we invest in our community together.
“The Hendricks Community Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that invests in people, projects and programs that
support, improve and strengthen the Hendricks community.”

03/06/2026

The Hendricks Foundation announces the launch of a $50,000 fundraising campaign for the final stages of a Main Street green space project. The new public park. located on the corner of Main and Lincoln Streets will function as a location for community events and informal activities.

Thanks to previous federal funding provided from a Small City Streetscape Grant, Phase One of the project was completed this past Fall. Brick seating walls, unique pavement, shade trees and a donated flag pole were also installed. (Thank You to the anonymous donor for the flag pole).

Completing the final phases will depend on raising the $50,000 from private donations. As funds allow, benches, umbrella tables, landscaping, and the city’s vintage phone booth will be added. An entrance arch and concrete walkway within the space will also be included, along with the construction of a small performance stage.

Hendricks Foundation President Alden Olsen presented Mayor Julie Hogie with a gift from the foundation of $6,000 to kick off the fundraising campaign. Progress towards the $50,000 goal will continue to be updated on the large thermometer banners posted on the existing wooden structure within the green space. The Venmo code allows for an easy way to contribute with your smart phone. (Locate the Venmo code in the foundation’s ad in the March 5th issue of the Hendricks Pioneer and on the banner at the green space. Also shown in this post.)

When you “Donate Local”, you are assured that your gift will stay in Hendricks and benefit the community. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated. Help us reach our GOAL. Gifts may be mailed to:
Hendricks Foundation, PO Box 73, Hendricks, MN 56136.

Thank you in advance. Great things can happen here when we invest in our community together.

“The Hendricks Community Foundation is a non-profit charitable organization that invests in people, projects and programs that
support, improve and strengthen the Hendricks community.”

11/30/2025

Winterfest 2025 celebrated on Saturday, Nov. 29th, is the kick-off of the Holiday Season in Hendricks. The weather set the festive scene with a few inches of fresh snow, temperatures in the teens and a sharp west wind. This year visitors toured vintage ice houses and modern Ice Castles that were set up along Lincoln St. displaying an array of fishing equipment and serving up goodies. There were carolers at the clock corner, bingo at the Community Center, and Santa and Mrs. Clause greeting kids of all ages from their temporary “office” at the bank. Businesses providing food, drinks and shopping were open late into the evening.

The fun and creative parade floats lit up the 3-blocks of Main Street, ending at Ardor Square. The Hendricks Foundation’s float, driven by Foundation President Alden Olsen and assisted by his wife, consisted of a snowman made from tires with the message, “Never tire of Doing Good”. It won Honorable Mention in the float contest. Trophies went to three very fine floats and for a store front decoration. A fireworks display wrapped up Winterfest festivities for another year. Thanks to the Hendricks Community Club, businesses, and everyone who helped and participated in this holiday tradition.

11/04/2025

Make it a Hendricks Saturday!
Join us November 29th for a wonderful start to the Christmas season and experience THE BEST Christmas event!

We’d love to see you!

07/04/2025

Happy 4th of July. The Spirit Award Resolutions for Pearl Asbjornson and Norma Siverson were read and presented today to Heidi Sagmoe, great-niece of Pearl Asbjornson, and to the Siverson Family,: Patty(DIL), Ralph (Norma's son),Travis (grandson), Silvia (Norma's daughter), and Slade (grandson). Congratulations!!!

07/03/2025

Resolution for Norma Siverson:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Norma Siverson (1918-2023), born and raised in South Dakota, attended Brandt High School and Madison Normal, teaching for several years in country schools near Toronto, SD, married and moved to Hendricks in 1939 where she resided and raised 5 children, surviving two pandemics, the Spanish Flu of 1918 and COVID 19, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Siverson made significant contributions to the community, employed as a Nurse’s Aide in the Hendricks Hospital, volunteering in the Nursing Home as Activities Director and at the Senior Dining Center, instrumental in starting the Hospital Auxiliary’s thrift store which has operated successfully to benefit the Hendricks Hospital for decades, American Legion Auxiliary, and a life-long member of the Women’s Literary Club and the Republican Party, serving on the county, state and national levels, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Siverson, a faithful member of Christ Lutheran Church, was very active in all church activities, including teaching Sunday School, assisting in confirmation classes, serving as President of Ladies Aide, and passionate about sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief, exemplifying her core values of faith, education and service, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Siverson demonstrated her spirit of fun and adventure, traveling to almost every state and several foreign countries, spending time with her large, extended family, playing games and celebrating community events, often in costume, especially her Norwegian traditional “bunad” for the Syttende Mai festivities, showing pride in her Norwegian heritage, and bestowed the honor of Queen Lena in 2013.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hendricks and the Hendricks Community Foundation Board of Directors do hereby express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Norma Siverson for her distinguished service and contributions to the community she loved, and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the joint boards posthumously bestow upon Norma Siverson the “Hendricks Community Spirit Award” for 2025.
(signed Mayor Julie Hogie and Foundation President Alden Olsen)

07/03/2025

Resolution for Pearl Asbjornson:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Pearl Asbjornson (1910-1999), a life-long resident of Hendricks, a graduate from Ivanhoe Normal Training in 1930 and from Southwest Minnesota State University in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, dedicated her life to public education beginning as a country schoolteacher, later joining the grade school faculty in the Hendricks Public School, teaching the elementary grades until her retirement, a career spanning more than 50 years, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Asbjornson demonstrated a commitment to youth by providing private piano lessons for up to 60-70 students at a time over a period of 40-plus years, setting high expectations of excellence, encouraging a strong work ethic to prepare for piano recitals, regional and state contests and honor concerts, expressing pride in students’ accomplishments, instilling confidence for success, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Asbjornson was an active member of the Hendricks Public Library Board, Woman’s Federated Club, Hendricks American Legion Auxiliary, and National Music Teachers Association, while also sharing her musical talent as the church organist at New Grove Evangelical United Brethren Church and later at Grace United Methodist Church, providing piano accompaniment for many civic events and celebrations, and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Asbjornson lived a life of dedication to her family and countless students, exhibiting a passion for music that inspired and enriched the lives of so many.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hendricks and the Hendricks Community Foundation Board of Directors do hereby express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Pearl Asbjornson for her distinguished service and contributions to our community, and

RESOLVED FURTHER, that the joint boards posthumously bestow upon Mrs. Pearl Asbjornson the “Hendricks Community Spirit Award” for 2025.

(signed by Mayor Julie Hogie and Foundation President Alden Olsen.

07/03/2025

The 2025 Community Spirit Awards will be given, posthumously, to Pearl Asbjornson and Norma Siverson. Their families will be presented with their awards on July 4th at 11:45am at the band shell in Veterans Memorial Park. Please come to show your appreciation and honor these two outstanding citizens. Their photos and Resolutions follow in separate posts.

06/25/2025

The Hendricks Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of the Community Spirit Award, Pearl Asbjornson and Norma Siverson. This year the two awards will be given posthumously and presented to the Asbjornson and Siverson families on July 4th at 11:45am at the band shell in Veterans Memorial Park. Congratulations!

Pearl Asbjornson was nominated by Camille Aune Kruse. Norma Siverson was nominated by Mark and Rachel Hager. The recipients were selected for their significant contributions and committment to the Hendricks community. This award, given since 2010, is an opportunity to thank and honor just a few of the many people who demonstrate their “Spirit of Community”.

06/06/2025