Service was the fiber of Deacon Fred Hendricks

In his family, in his volunteer work and in his parish, Deacon Fred Hendricks was focused on serving, his former pastor said.

“It was part of the fiber of who he was,” said Father Daniel Kampschneider, who served with Deacon Hendricks at St. Philip Neri Parish in Omaha, which is now St. Philip Neri-Blessed Sacrament Parish.

Deacon Hendricks, who served as a deacon for 41 years, died Jan. 19. He was 88.

A funeral Mass was held Jan. 25 at St. Philip Neri Church, with burial at Calvary Cemetery, also in Omaha.

Deacon Hendricks, who was ordained in 1979, also served at the former St. Richard Parish before St. Philip Neri.

He and his wife of 64 years, Marcella, were “so dependable, always there ready to help with whatever was needed,” said Father Kampschneider, now pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha.

Like many deacons, his service wasn’t flashy, his former pastor said. It was based on a deep trust in the Lord and a sense of loyalty and commitment to his community and in all his relationships, said Father Kampschneider.

Having grown up in the Presbyterian faith and converting to Catholicism when he married, Deacon Hendricks identified with other converts as he and his wife helped with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

He had a booming voice, in proclaiming the Gospel and in singing, Father Kampschneider said.

Deacon Hendricks sang in adult church choirs over the years and could play the accordion.

“That gift of music, that gift of singing was just in his heart,” Father Kampschneider said.

A retired grocery store manager, Deacon Hendricks also volunteered for Spirit Catholic Radio and The Durham Museum, and helped as a driver at Roeder Mortuary in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by sons Freddie and David and grandson Scott Steiner.

Survivors include his wife; daughters and sons-in-law Sue and Dave Steiner, Debbie and Steve Loudon, and Nancy Hendricks; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.