Kurt Sumner Hendrick

Kurt Sumner Hendrick came into this world on September 17th, 2006 in Cornwall, England, and cried endlessly for two weeks. He did this with such ferocity that when he was finished, it seemed he only had happiness and positivity left, which is how he would carry himself throughout his life. He cared ferociously, appreciated ferociously, empathized ferociously, and he loved ferociously. In doing so he left a lasting impact on everyone he met.

His positivity was at full force from a young age and it never wavered. In kindergarten he got himself into a little trouble and lost first recess. He smiled and said, “At least there’s second recess!” In grade school he received a large bundle of socks for his birthday. He smiled, jumped with joy and shouted “They are amazing!” In middle school when talking to his friends about his new cancer diagnosis, he smiled and assured them that “having cancer isn’t really all that bad!” And as his friends moved forward with their high school careers and started to get their first jobs, instead of letting his limitations get him down, he bought his first 3D printer, smiled, and started his own successful business. And even now I can see Kurt getting ready to look down at his funeral, smile, and say, “I finally got so many people I love together in one place!”

It is hard to consider all the plans he had made for his life that will never come to be. He wished to become a politician that would actually make a difference. He wanted to foster and adopt children because he wanted every child to be loved by a family of their own. He had great concern about the thoughts, needs, and feelings of others, and this drove him to want to make a difference for all those around him. It is difficult not to be able to witness the impact he could have made had he lived. But I’d like to pause, smile, and think of not only how great the impact he already made is, but the impact he will continue to make through the way he has touched all of us. We just need to carry on his positivity, his compassion, his appreciation, and his love, with as much ferocity as possible.

Kurt left this world on August 12, 2023, in the embrace of his family and friends. He will forever be remembered and loved by his mother Erin Hendrick, his brother VanLuke Hendrick, his grandparents Debbie and Kurt Hendrick, his great grandparents Bernie Winchip, Dick Balser, and Barbara Beier, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church (226 West Ottawa Avenue, Dousman, Wisconsin) on August 22, 2023, from 9-1, followed by a funeral Mass at 1pm. The Christian Burial will take place at St. Bruno Parish Cemetery immediately following the Mass. A celebration of life will be held at Rise and Shine (200 W Summit Ave, Wales, Wisconsin) from 3:30 to 6:30. All are invited to join us, food will be provided.