Zachary Lee Hendrickson

Zachary “Zach” Hendrickson passed away on June 21, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 42. His death followed many years of living with severe mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia, and the challenges of homelessness.

Zach was born on July 1, 1983, to Kathleen McInroy Hendrickson and Dale Edward Hendrickson. He graduated from Waterloo West High School in 2001 and proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for 18 months.

After his military service, Zach worked as a supervisor at Goodwill. At the age of 21, he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, an illness that profoundly affected the course of his life. For more than two decades, he faced repeated hospitalizations, periods of incarceration, and homelessness. Despite these struggles, Zach was deeply loved by his family and friends. Although his illness often led him to make difficult choices, those who knew him never stopped caring for him or hoping for his recovery.

In honor of Zach and in the hope of advancing research into serious mental illness, his family donated his brain to the University of Iowa Neuropathology Resource Laboratory.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his large, blended family. Zach is survived by his father, Dale (Cindi) Hendrickson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; his mother, Kathleen (Rick) Dabney of Waterloo, Iowa; his sister, Kara Sanderson of Farmington, Minnesota; his step-siblings , Michael (Heather) Dabney of Ankeny, Iowa; Michelle Dabney of Urbandale, Iowa, Jennifer (Mark) Snyder ,of Asbury, IA. Maggie (Brian) Hume of Britt , IA, Kaily (Andi) Summerlin Cohen of Bellevue, NE, Joe (Chelsea) Brokaw of Cedar Falls, IA. Maternal grandmother Alice McInroy of Waterloo, Iowa. Step grandmother Catherine Dabney of Waterloo. He is also survived by his beloved nieces, Kloey Sanderson, Emily Sanderson, and Avery Schippa, all of Farmington, Minnesota; his step-nieces & nephews , Isabelle and Tristan Garcia of Urbandale, Iowa, Bennett Dabney and Bryce Dabney of Ankeny, Iowa, Caleb and Will Snyder of Asbury, IA, Dakota of Britt , IA, and Cohen of Bellevue, NE, Joe (Chelsea) Brokaw, Kamrie and Hillary Brokaw of Cedar Falls, IA many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Zach was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, James McInroy, and his paternal grandparents, Milton and Juanita Hendrickson. Also step grandfather Archie Dabney.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details will be announced when they become available. Donations can be directed to the family for NAMI Blackhawk county.