Bettyjune ‘Bj’ Hendrickson

Bettyjune Hendrickson (known as "Bj") was born on Aug. 28, 1919, at Delauga, Colo. She died in Billings on May 20, 2016.

Bj was raised and educated in Denver, where she graduated from East High, Colorado Women's College and Denver University. At the university, she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, after which she earned a master's degree in personnel management from Radcliff College (Now Harvard). After graduating from DU and prior to her studies at Harvard, Bj was a supervisor for OPA (Office of Price Administration). Her work experience also included personnel management for Goldwater's Department Store in Phoenix and part-time teaching in the Billings Public Schools, as well as being Dean of Women at Rocky Mountain College for the years 1948 through 1952. Bj was a highly educated woman and greatly enjoyed all her education experiences, including obtaining a teaching certificate from Eastern Montana College (now MSUB).

In May of 1944, on a blind date, Bj met Bob Hendrickson at the Officer's Club at Peterson Field, Colo. They fell in love, but were not to be married until Sept. 22, 1947, due to Bob's overseas assignment. They were married in Colorado Springs, and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. After a honeymoon at the Broadmoor, the couple left for Phoenix, where Bob attended the American Institute for Foreign Trade. They couple then moved to Billings in March of 1948, where Bob began his law practice.

Bj was an ardent golfer (with one hole in one), and Bj and Bob were members of the Yellowstone Country Club and enjoyed many golf games on the beautiful course. They also enjoyed many winters together with family at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, where Bob was a member of the Kellogg Gang. They also played many military golf courses in the San Diego area and enjoyed fly fishing on the Madison River at Ennis. Bj loved to travel, and she and Bob made three Atlantic crossings on the ships SS United States, Queen Elizabeth II and the SS France. They loved Paris and London, and invited the family to a special dinner in Paris for their 50th anniversary. They also particularly enjoyed driving the United States and spent many Octobers on the road.

Bj was a devout member of the First Church of Christ Scientist, and volunteered for many church activities. She also volunteered for various organizations, including Girl Scouts and Pink Ladies. She was a strong believer in the tenets of her church: that "God is Love" and "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need." When her children went out the door, we can always remember her saying: "Where you go is God; since this is so, there is no safer place to be than where you go." She attended church regularly and would take classes with Arnold Preller in Denver.

Bj was known for her beautiful smile and her love for children. She could bring out a smile from the smallest babies.

Bj is survived by her husband, Bob; her daughter, Juni (husband Ray) (granddaughter Lucy); her son, Tob (wife Jennifer).

Life, truth and love are the realities.

We love you.

A private family interment service is planned.

Memorials may be made to the First Church of Christ Scientist, Shrine Children's Hospital or the charity of one's choice.