Obit: Handly, Cathy Dawn (1954 – 2009)
Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Handly, Franks, Swisher, Brown, Bruley, Thoreson

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) February 11, 2009

Handly, Cathy Dawn (17 April 1954 – 5 February 2009)

Cathy D. Handly, 54, of Black River Falls died Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009, at Pine View Care Center, Black River Falls, under the care of Black River Hospice.

Cathy Dawn Swisher was born April 17, 1954, in Black River Falls to Noble Elmer and June Lucille (Franks) Swisher. With the exception of a short time spent in California, she was raised in the Black River Falls area. Cathy’s parents were divorced while she was young and she was raised by her father, Noble Swisher, and her paternal grandparents, Charlie and Minnie Swisher.

She married Gayle W. Handly Dec. 4, 1971, at the Little Norway Lutheran Church, rural Black River Falls. The couple first lived in Spokane, WA, for one year before returning to Black River Falls. From 1987 to 2003, Cathy and Gayle lived in Roland, IA, and returned to Black River Falls in 2003.

While living in Iowa, Cathy was a stay-at-home mom, and she also had several part-time jobs. She and her husband owned and operated C & G Custom Blinds, LLC of Black River Falls.

She was a member of the Little Norway Lutheran Church. She enjoyed her grandchildren, being a hockey mom, the outdoors, gardening, hunting and the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include her husband, Gayle of Black River Falls; three sons, Toby (Tracy) Handly of Hatton, N.D., Brad (Beth) Handly of Waupaca and Ryan (Gretchen) Handly of Black River Falls; eight grandchildren, Brooklynn, Paige, drew, Cooper, Chase, Mia, Laney and Bryson; a sister, Nina Brown of Augusta, GA; a brother, Jeff Swisher; an aunt, Charlene Bruley of Aurora, CO; other relatives; and many amazing, dedicated friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Noble Swisher; her mother, June; and her grandparents, Charlie and Minnie Swisher.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at the Little Norway Lutheran Church, and burial was in the church cemetery, both in rural Black River Falls, Rev. Calvin Thoreson officiated.

Family and friends were invited for visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the church.

Memorials may be given to either the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research Center, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or the Jackson County Humane Society, 403 County Road R, Black River Falls, WI 54615

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.