Erika Marie Hendrickson, 89 of Canton, GA., passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Cedarhurst Assisted Living.

Erika was born February 27, 1936, in Ober-Werbe, a small village in Germany.  She was one of seven children, 1 boy and 6 girls, and grew up on a farm.  As a young girl she remembered her family providing fresh produce and eggs to US Army troops during WWII.   To this day a stream passing through the village still has a section of pontoon bridge stamped "US Army".  In addition to working on the farm Erika also worked for a time in a yarn factory.  While serving as the maid of honor for her best friend, Erika caught the attention of the groom's best man, Harold Hendrickson.  At the time, Harold was serving in the US Army and was completing a tour in Germany.  He and Erika quickly fell in love and were married in 1959.  They had four children: Angela, Norbert, Herbert and Ronald.  The family was able to maintain close ties with Erika's German relatives due to Harold's unfathomable ability to somehow convince the US Army to send him on three successive four-year stints to Germany separated by one-year tours in the US.  During these formative years Erika's life was devoted to raising the kids and taking care of Harold.  In 1976 Harold retired and the family settled in Newport News, Va.  Nineteen years later, with the kids all grown and out of the house, Erika and Harold relocated to a 55 + community in Ocala, Fl.  They participated in numerous club activities and enjoyed 30 cruises together.  In 2023, they moved to Canton to be closer to family.  Through the years Erika became the proud grandmother of 15 children and great-grandmother of 20 more.  She was always happiest holding a little one on her knee or watching them play all around her.  On January 28, 2024, her husband of 65 years passed at age 92.  On March 17, 2025, Erika was once again reunited with the love of her life.

Erika is survived by her sons, Herbert Harold (Marie) Hendrickson of Canton, Georgia, Ronal Michael (Carol) Hendrickson of Ivanhoe, Virginia, and Norbert Herbert Hendrickson of Lemoore, California; daughter, Angela Eva (Robert) Born of Roseville, California; brother, Willie Iske of Germany; sister, Marliese Edme of Germany; 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 24th at 1:30p.m. at Georgia National Cemetery.

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hendrickson family.