Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN

Clark L. Hendrickson "Big Red in the Morning", 67, of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at his residence.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 PM on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Father Rick Lambert presiding.  Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.  The Burial Service will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday evening at First Lutheran Cemetery in Audubon, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM prayer service on Monday, October 23, 2017 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN.  Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church.

Clark Lawrence Hendrickson was born on May 7, 1950 in Detroit Lakes, MN the son of Lawrence and Mildred (Kuhlemeyer) Hendrickson.  He was baptized and confirmed at the First Lutheran Church in Audubon, MN.  He attended school in Audubon graduating with the class of 1968.  Clark then attended the first broadcasting class offered at the AVTI in Thief River Falls, MN in the fall of 1968.

Clark's first broadcasting job was at KLIZ in Brainerd, MN in 1970.  Clark entered into service with the United States Army in the fall of 1970 and served honorably for two years.  He maintained life-long relationships with many of his fellow servicemen.  Clark returned to work at KLIZ for one year before coming to work at KTRF in Thief River Falls.

On February 16, 1974, Clark was united in marriage to Anita Anderson at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN and to this union two children were born, Jon and Ryan.

Clark Hendrickson was the self-proclaimed Morning Mayor of Northwest Minnesota, Big Red in the Morning.  He was the sign-on announcer on KTRF – AM from the 1970's until he retired in 2007.  He was a voice to tens of thousands who grew up within Northwest Minnesota, announcing football games, weather forecasts with precise timing, and outdoor hunting and fishing reports.

He was active in many outdoor activities and organizations and served as Master of Ceremonies at many of them.  Clark was passionate about deer season, fishing, and snowmobiling with family and friends.  He was a published outdoor journalist for many outdoor magazines.  Clark served as cross-country coach, youth hockey coach, substitute teacher and most recently enjoyed working at Digi-Key after retirement until 2014.

Friends, family, his catholic faith, patriotism, and the outdoors were very important to Clark and he always had a strong desire to help others.

Clark was a faithful member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls.

Survivors include his wife, Anita of Duluth, MN; sons, Jon (Sara) Hendrickson of Duluth, MN and Ryan Hendrickson of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Samuel and Greta; brothers, Paul Hendrickson of Frazee, MN and Dean Hendrickson of Audubon, MN; and many cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com