Obit: Handke-Sternitzky, Louise (1909 - 2004)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Handke, Sternitzky, Bartsch, Buddinger, Geisler

----Source: Loyal TRG, 11 August 2004

Louise Handke-Sternitzky, 95, Granton, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at her home. Following a 10 a.m. visitation, funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, August 16, 2004, at the Zion Lutheran Church, Granton. Pastor John Trewyn will officiate. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, organist. Burial will be in the Town of Lynn Cemetery. Honorary casket bearers will be Merle Bartsh and William Buddinger Jr. Casket bearers will be Bob Barth, Don Bartsh, Leland Bartsch, Wilbur Buddinger, Frank Geisler and George Geisler.

Loise Geisler was born May 12, 1909, in Pine Valley township, Clark County, to Julius and Margaret (Gangler) Geisler. She attented the Silver Crest School in Pine Valley township and then moved to Chicago, where she worked in a mirror factory. After her parents’ deaths, she moved back to the Neillsville area and kept house for her future mother-in-law. She married Elmer "Buster" Handke on August 16, 1933. He died in 1967. After his death, she worked at Figi’s and also tended bar at Butch and Vivian’s in Lynn. Five years after he husbands death, she married Erwin Sternitzky. They were married for 20 years before his death in 1992. She was a wonderful. Loving, wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed playing cards, especially sheepshead and pincole, gardening and canning, was famous for her pickles, crocheting, and she once crochted 400 coathangers for the church. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Granton, and the Ladies Aid, the Granton Sportsman’s Club and the Neillsville, Granton and Chili Senior Citizens.

Survivors include her children, Iyron E. (Donna) Handke Sr., Willard Eldon F. (Donna) Handke Sr., Granton, Laura Lee L. Zank, Granton, Elmer E (Maureen) Handke Jr., Marshfield, Buster (Casey) Hadnke, Marshfield, and Cheryl Handke, Granton; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren’ many nieces and nephews; and many good friends.

Preceding her in death were her two husbands; her parents; and six siblings.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.