- Date Of Birth: April 3, 1953
- Date Of Death: December 26, 2022
- State: Idaho
Denice Hendrickson Hart, 69, of Rigby, passed away December 26, 2022, at her home. She was under the care of her loving family and Hands of Hope Hospice.
Denice was born in Ashton, Idaho, on April 3, 1953, to Ken and Annetta Hendrickson. She was the third oldest of nine children. She and her family moved many times, experiencing many interesting environments, from turkey farming and potato farming to urban life in southern California. She attended no less than ten different schools growing up.
She started her own family early and family was always one of her priorities.
Denice moved to West Yellowstone, Montana, and there found a passion for serving her community by becoming an EMT which she did for over 25 years. She moved to Three Forks, Montana, and continued to raise her family. Her connections to Emergency Management thrived and grew. Along with being an EMT in this community, she also joined the volunteer fire department. She eventually became the first female Fire Chief of Three Forks. She also pursued opportunities in the Wildland Fire Community and was a Medical Unit Leader on many large incidents. She met the love of her life, David Hart, during this time.
Dave fell in love with Denice’s brilliant mind and her self-assurance without arrogance. Denice had a unique perspective on life, having been raised in a religious environment, but also having lived life fully and made what she described as many mistakes. Many people looked to her for advice and guidance when going through difficult times. She could be counted on to tell a blunt truth and mix it with love and understanding.
Denice loved her family and thoughtfully supported them through each of their unique experiences. This was expressed in considerate gifts, notes, and unexpected and intuitive calls or texts. She loved everything about nature and celebrated that love in her paintings and other artistic interests. Denice loved music and to sing.
Denice is survived by her mother, Annetta Hendrickson; her loving husband, David Hart; and her four beloved children: Joe Brush of Meridian, ID, Jim Brush of Weiser, ID, Jason Brush of Norfold, VA, and Yulonda Winterberg of Limon, CO; 20 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and 1 on the way.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ken Hendrickson.
