Nels Peter Hendrickson was born on July 3, 1912 in Spruce Grove Township, Beltrami County, Minnesota, the son of Frank J. and Mary Inga (Blodstrom) Hendrickson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and attended school in Minnie Township, Beltrami County. He worked at a Floor Covering Company in Minneapolis, MN for 27 years, from 1961 to 1987. Nels moved to Bagley, MN and worked, taking care of cattle, for many years. Nels moved to Grygla, MN and in 2003 he moved to Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Nels is survived by nieces and nephews: Ray (Judie) Hendrickson of Grygla, MN, Francis Rogers of Bemidji, MN, Dianne Benson of Crookston, MN, Emily Kriz, Lawrence LaCourse, Wilfred LaCourse, Carol Schmidt and Frances Otterkill, all of St. Paul, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents.