Samantha Hendrickson

Samantha Rose Hendrickson, “Sam” 35, of Two Harbors, passed away unexpectedly on August 26, 2021.

Sam was born May 27, 1986 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  As an infant, she moved to Two Harbors where she was raised, attended school and had various jobs.  She worked at Pamida, Vietnamese Lantern and Vanilla Bean.

Sam enjoyed music, yoga, fishing, camping, riding her scooter, spending time with friends who knew her as “Gummi,” and her family - especially the light and love of her life, her son, Braxton (13), Grandma Pat, her rock, and her mom, Julie.

As a young girl, Sam was diagnosed with diabetes.  This illness proved to be just one of many challenges she would face; one that threatened her life on numerous occasions.  Recently, she was able to get a new insulin pump that helped her get her sugar levels under control, an accomplishment she was so proud of after struggling for decades.

Addiction and mental health issues also impacted Sam’s life on a daily basis.  Try as she might, and she tried repeatedly, she could never break free from their grip.  Friends and family watched time and again how the woman they knew to be sweet, caring, funny and full of life turned into a shell of the Sam they knew.  Her addiction and mental health issues took control of her life and although she actively battled against them, she eventually succumbed to those demons.

She was preceded in death by her great-grandparents, Elof and Violet Anderson and Robert and Doris Sansom; and grandpa, Rodney Anderson.

Sam is survived by her son, Braxton Theiling; mom, Julie Hendrickson; and grandma, Pat Anderson, all of Two Harbors; uncles David (Diane) Anderson of Lisbon Falls, Maine and Dale (Courtney) Anderson of Two Harbors; dad, Dan Hendrickson; stepsisters, Jenny (Gregg) Kangas and Brandie Roy; grandma, Janice Hendrickson; Braxton’s dad, Dereck Theiling, and grandma, Rita Thieling; many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and special family friend, Sharon Martin.

Private ceremony will be held for the family.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date, due to COVID concerns.

Message from Sam’s family :

For anyone who is struggling, or knows someone who is struggling, know that you are not alone.  You matter and you deserve to be happy and healthy.  We sincerely wish you faith, strength, perseverance, peace, and success.

We would like to share the following resources and truly hope you will keep an open mind:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

https://www.samhsa.gov/

National Alliance on Mental Health

https://nami.org/Home

Crisis Text Line (formerly TXT4Life)

https://www.crisistextline.org/

American Diabetes Association

https://www.diabetes.org/