Dolores Henrikson (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Dolores Isabell "Kelly" Henrikson, formerly of Bolivar, Missouri, passed away in Prairie Village,
Kansas, on July 31,2016.
She was born on October 15, 1921, in Hunter, Kansas, to Robert and Anna Baird. Kelly grew up in Hunter, Kansas, and after spending her freshman year of high school at St. Mary's Academy in Manhattan, Kansas, she returned to her home and graduated from Hunter High School. She then entered St. Mary's School of Nursing program in Manhattan, completing her RN in 1944.
Kelly married Dr. Keith Donald Henrikson, DVM, in Topeka, Kansas, in 1946. They later moved to Warrensburg, Missouri, where they started their family. In 1951, they moved permanently to Bolivar, Missouri, to open a new veterinary practice and raise their four children. They built an animal clinic and Kelly worked alongside Keith "Doc" in every capacity required - receptionist, bookkeeper, scheduler, surgical assistant, animal caregiver and "maintenance man". She juggled all homemaker and motherhood responsibilities while remaining very active in the community as a volunteer for the local Blood Mobile, Room Mother in the elementary school, and Boy and Girl Scout leader. In her later years, she delivered meals to the elderly, worked tirelessly as a member of the Citizen's Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and served in several volunteer roles for Sacred Heart Church where she was a long time parishioner. Kelly was always ready to help friends and family.
She was a skilled listener, was creative, pragmatic, and selfless. She had a great sense of humor, and would easily showcase her "inner child" in the company of her grandchildren. She possessed an innate strength that was an inspiration to others.She was without equal as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be missed greatly by her family.
Kelly is survived by her children, Jan Henrikson, Lexington, Missouri; Gail Roberson (husband
Richard), Leawood, Kansas; Mary Susan Henrikson, Kingwood, Texas; and Jim Henrikson (wife Margaret), Bellaire, Texas; six grandchildren, Dr. James Roberson (wife Colleen) Prairie Village, Kansas; Daniel Roberson, Kansas City, Missouri; and Katherine Roberson Nazir (husband Dr. Usman Nazir), Prairie Village, Kansas; John Henrikson, Elizabeth Henrikson, and Emily Henrikson, all of Bellaire, Texas; 4 great- grandchildren, Kellen, Isla, and Henry Roberson; and Ada Nazir, all of Prairie Village, Kansas; her sister, Eulala Herl, Topeka, Kansas; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Richard, Gene, and Jerry Baird; and her sister, Margie Leathers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or
Sacred Heart Church Building Fund, 1405 W. Fairplay Street, Bolivar, MO 65613.
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