Irene Hendricksen

Irene Hendricksen, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed from this world peacefully on January 14, 2026, at the age of 88, surrounded by her children.

Born in Missoula in 1937, to Clarence and Eunice Donaldson, Irene was the youngest of 10 children. Irene attended Hawthorne elementary and Missoula County High School. Her work history reads like a history of Missoula, from her early jobs at 93 Stop and Go and 4-B’s Restaurants, to Big Sky High School and Saint Patrick Hospital.

She married the love of her life, Dale Hendricksen of Missoula, and they built a beautiful home together in Target Range in which Irene took tremendous pride, cultivating a gorgeous yard, an abundant garden, and keeping a meticulous home. Here, Irene and Dale raised their children, entertained their grandchildren, and hosted numerous gatherings for extended family.

When not at home in Target Range, Irene could be found riding motorbikes with her husband and children on logging roads in the Nine Mile area where the family regularly camped, or supervising their antics at a family cabin on Flathead Lake.

An avid runner, Irene ran daily for as long as anyone can remember, competing in nearly every local race. Irene took particular pride in completing the Onion Run Marathon in Walla Walla, WA, where she finished first in the over 40 age category and 3rd among women.

Irene retired to help care for her grandchildren, which she did with dedication and enthusiasm, filling their days with outdoor adventures and educational events in and around Missoula. Irene exposed her grandchildren to nature, science, the arts, and always plenty of sunscreen.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Dale and is survived by her children; Eric and Diana Hendricksen of Florence, MT, Shelley and John Scott of Florence, MT, Brock and Gina Mitchell of College Place, WA, and Brian Mitchell of Milton-Freewater, OR; and her Sisters; Genevieve Salido of Antioch, CA, and Eileen Creswell of Seaside, OR.

A celebration of life will be held for Irene and her husband Dale this summer.