Walter Robert Hendricks, age 96, of Broken Bow, Nebraska, passed away November 2, 2023, at Brookestone View in Broken Bow, NE.
Funeral services will be held November 7, 2023, at Govier Brothers Chapel in Broken Bow, Nebraska. Visitation will be held at Govier Brothers Chapel on November 6th , from 9:00 to 6:00 with the family present from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post #126, Broken Bow, Nebraska. Govier Brothers Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Walter Robert Hendricks was born January 7, 1927, to Rollie and Cleta (Boggs) Hendricks. He grew up and attended grade school south of Callaway; and graduated from Callaway High School in the Class of 1944.
Walter enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, with his father’s approval because he was under the legal age to enlist on his own. Because of his youth, Walter’s tour of duty was limited to serving stateside. His training was in the Great Lakes area and then was transferred to the Naval base located near Alameda, California, where he loaded ammunition onto carrier ships bound for points overseas. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 25, 1946.
Walter returned to the Callaway community where he farmed and raised cattle. On October 24, 1949, Walter married Doris E. Fochtman, and together they raised two sons. Walter continued to farm and ranch south of Callaway until 1970 when he leased the Carothers Ranch south of Broken Bow. Walter was proud of his Hereford cattle herd; and Walter and Doris enjoyed numerous trips to visit other ranches involved in raising cattle, thereby, improving the genetics of his cattle herd. In the process, Walter and Doris made lifelong friends with other cattlemen throughout the Sandhills. Walter retired from ranching and farming in 1987; and they purchased an acreage from the Carothers family, where they continued to reside for many years. In May of 2021, Walter started residing at Brookestone View in Broken Bow, Nebraska. One of his highlights from his time at Brookestone, was when he was given the opportunity to participate in the Dream Flight program, in which World War II veterans were given the opportunity to fly in a restored World War II bi-plane. He enjoyed every minute of his flight and talked about this ride for a long time afterwards.
Walter is survived by his wife, Doris, his sons Billy (Vicki) Hendricks of Broken Bow, and Jimmie (Kathy) Hendricks of Gothenburg; grandchildren: Wendy (Lonnie) Fink of Phillipsburg, KS, Jeremy (Linzy) Hendricks of Gothenburg, NE, and Cody (Aaron) Stubbe of Gretna, NE; great grandchildren: Dannielle (Austin) Tien, Dakota Slack, Jaysa (Hunter) Ewing, Brady Hendricks, Jocelyn Hendricks, Ava, Ella and Nora Stubbe and Greyson Ewing. Walter is also survived by brother Richard Hendricks of Callaway, sister-in-law Ruth Hendricks of Lexington, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: R. Kenneth Hendricks and Orin W. Hendricks, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law: Della Hendricks, Joyce Hendricks, Rose and Jim Thomas, Wilfred and Barbara Fochtman, Lois and Donald Oman, Gerald Booker, Shirley Booker Rieker, and Gilbert Rieker.