Elizabeth Ann (Griesemer) Hendricks passed away October 2 2018. During Mom’s recent illness and our father’s passing last year, Mom has been surrounded by love. From all the cards, prayers, and help readily provided it was apparent that Elizabeth Ann has touched many lives with her love for family, friends, music, and her faith.
Elizabeth Ann Griesemer was born October 14, 1928 and raised in Billings, MO. She found her love of music at the age of 4 with her first piano lesson. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas in 1950. Mom valued music and education. She was a music educator all her life, first in the public school system, later teaching private lessons in our home.
Elizabeth met James H Hendricks while they were both teaching in Axtell, Kansas. Jim and Elizabeth married in 1952 and moved from Boston to California while Jim served in the military. With his first jobs they moved from St Joseph to Jefferson City to Springfield to Kansas City. They eventually settled in Overland Park, Kansas and raised 6 children (Margaret Louise Kleine, James Joseph, Ann Elizabeth Darnell, William John (Bill), Daniel Lawrence, and Mary Therese Duff).
They witnessed married love for the community for over 66 years, serving in marriage encounter, and marriage preparation for the Kansas City dioceses. Mom witnessed her belief in Catholic education serving on the PTO at Queen of the Holy Rosary School, The Bishop Miege Mothers Club Board, and Benedictine College Board of Governors. She received the honorary Offeramus Medal for her devotion to music, family and church.
Mom served as an organist for our church for over 45 years while Dad served as cantor. She set a strong example of a faithful spiritual life with the Daughters of St Francis de Sales, serving as Directress of the Kansas City Group.
Elizabeth was the eldest of a large family, and was referred to as Aunt Sis by our large extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brothers John and Charles, sisters Jeanne and Alice, grandson John, and husband Jim.
Our family was aided in mom’s care by her many siblings and friends, to whom we are forever grateful for their love and help.
Our family was blessed to be surrounded by love, faith, and music. Every holiday in the Hendricks household included gathering around the piano for a family sing along - led by Dad, and accompanied by Mom. They were blessed with 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
While Elizabeth Ann (Sis) will be greatly missed by her large family, we are glad to know that the choir of angels has a new and talented accompanist.
“I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music” - Johann Sebastian Bach
Services honoring Elizabeth will be a visitation from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Tuesday, October 9th at Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia Street, Lenexa, KS. Funeral Mass 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 10th at 10:30 am, Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Overland Park, KS. Luncheon immediately to follow. A celebration of her life and 90th Birthday will be held in Springfield on Sunday October 14 - 12:30-2:30 PM at the Duff's house. Donations can be made in her memory to the Missionary Auxiliary of St Francis de Sales (SMMI) at PO Box 195, Winnetka Illinois, 60093. This mission is devoted to the care and education of impoverished children and adults.
“If music be the food of love - Play on”