Fredrick "Lee" Henricksen's Obituary
Staying Close to Home
Lee Henricksen was born in Tacoma, Washington on October 18, 1926 to Mary and Jack Henricksen. Lee was the older of two sons, raised on McKinley Hill in Tacoma. He attended Lincoln High School where, as a senior, he went on a blind date with Evon Hart, to the local roller skating rink. Upon graduating from Lincoln High School, he entered the Navy Air Corps with the hopes of becoming a pilot; instead he was trained as a gunner. While away, he kept up correspondence with Evon. Upon his return home to Washington two years later, Lee and Evon were wed and enjoyed sixty five years of marriage together, steadfast in the Parkland, Washington area.
Man of Many Hats
Lee’s working career covered several decades and several directions. After returning from his service in the Navy, he took on any work he could find. He settled at Kaiser Aluminum, where he remained for 11 years until they went out of business. Lee then took on ownership and operation of a Texaco Service station in Parkland. After 13 years of operating the Texaco, Lee returned to school, at age 50, to pursue his cooking qualifications; a long time dream of his. While in school, Lee worked nights at Puget Sound Plywood, the where his father was a shareholder. Following school, he worked in several area restaurants, spending most of his chef career at Barbeque Pete’s. Lee finally retired at age 62, but actually kept working until 65.
The Quiet Comforter
When not working, Lee enjoyed the company of his loving and growing family. Father to five of his own children and a father figure to his brother-in-law, Lee was a parent of few words, but his family found comfort in his presence and in “most” of his cooking! He enjoyed travelling with the family, venturing to his parents’ home on Spanaway Lake, helping the children tend to the animals on their property, and treating them to his culinary creations. Later, blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren, Lee and Evon would often to travel to visit and enjoy their company.
Time for Travel
Lee and Evon did not value material items; instead placed value on seeing the world. They enjoyed several trips to Hawaii, a cruise to Alaska, a visit to New Zealand and Australia, and several trips to Mexico. Some of these ventures were with family, children or Lee’s aunt and uncle, others with friends and most were enjoyed as a couple. One long journey the couple took together was an excursion by automobile around the perimeter of the entire United States. Beginning in Washington, they stopped in North Dakota to visit Evon’s family, travelled east to New Jersey to see her brother, ventured south to Mississippi to visit one of their sons, and then returned to the west via California. Upon return to Washington, Lee and Evon had hoped to cross into Canada, but six weeks of tour driving proved to be enough!
Other Connections
Lee also enjoyed his time with various clubs and organizations, and in his later years, with attendance at church with Evon. Lee was involved with the Parkland Masonic Lodge, Tacobat Grotto and the Tacoma Elks club. Lee was a man of faith, raised in the Lutheran church, but he attended Bethesda Baptist Church with Evon over the last 12 years.
A Quiet Legacy of Love
Lee Henricksen passed on July 24, 2012 after a brief illness. He will be dearly missed by his family, who always felt comfort in his presence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Jack Henricksen, daughter Karen, grandson Sean, and brother Gay. Lee is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Evon; his children, Jon, Tim (Carol), Nancy (Richard) Six and Mark (Madeleine); his brother-in-law, David Hart, who was like a son; 12 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
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