Alene Gladys was born February 20, 1922 in Beaulieu, MN, the daughter of Joseph and Ethel (Busse) Trnka. She grew up and attended school in the Mahnomen, MN, area. As a young lady, Alene worked at the Red Apple Café in Mahnomen. On February 11, 1941 she was united in marriage to Ernest Krajsa. The couple made their home on a farm east of Mahnomen, where they raised their family. Ernie died in 1972 and Alene remained on the farm and took over Ernie's role as a school bus driver. She was the first female bus driver for the Mahnomen School District.

On August 13, 1977 Alene married Edwin Hendrickson in Morris, MN. They lived on the farm east of Mahnomen for several years and Ed died in August of 1990. Alene continued to live on the farm until her health forced her to move into the Eventide Fairmont in Moorhead, MN, in December of 2004. Alene Krajsa Hendrickson died Thursday, January 15, 2009 in the MeritCare Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND, at the age of 86.

Alene enjoyed being outdoors and giving tender loving care to her garden and flower beds. She was a member of a homemakers club, First Lutheran Church and its ladies aid. Alene also held membership with the American Legion Auxiliary and was a past officer for AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans).

Alene leaves behind one son, Ken (Kay) Krajsa, Moorhead, MN; three daughters: Diane (Richard) MacGregor, Pelican Rapids, MN, Laurie (Dennis) Smerud, West Fargo, ND, and Vicky (Bob) Frank, Crystal, MN; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Marvin (Cece) Trnka, Mahnomen, and Lester (Sharon) Trnka, Waubun, MN; and one sister, Betty Kezar, Thief River Falls, MN. In addition to her parents and two husbands, Alene was preceded in death by three sons: Ernest, Jr., Don and Dave.

Blessed be the memory of Alene Krajsa Hendrickson.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be given to the American Diabetes Association.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Visitation will take place on Sunday, January, 18, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the church. Burial will be in Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Mahnomen at a later date.