Obit: Handke, Iyron E. (1934 – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Handke, Brice, Yoder, Shetler, Gosar, Geisler, Bentley, Hales, Hanson, Maxwell, Longlois, Buirge, Beisner, Zank

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) – 12 Jul 2017

Handke, Iyron E. (9 JUN 1934 – 4-JUL 2017)

Iyron E. Handke Sr., 83, Greenwood, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2017, at the House of the Dove in Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, July 10, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard. Rev. Steve Brice officiated and burial followed in the Town of Lynn Cemetery. Pallbearers were Iyron Handke Jr., Raymond Yoder, Bennie Shetler, Tony Gosar, John Gosar and Val Gosar.

Iyron Elmer Handke was born on Jan. 9, 1934, in the town of Lynn, to Elmer and Louise (nee Geisler) Handke. He was raised and received his education in the Lynn area. After completing his education, Iyron went to work with his father as a heavy equipment operator. He married Lorraine M. Bentley on Nov. 28, 1953, at the First Methodist Church in Charles City, Iowa. He worked out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, in Wisconsin, for 29 years, 28 of those years with Pagel Construction. In 1983, he left Local 139 and worked in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and California until 1988. Iyron then worked out of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12, in California, of which he was a member for 29 years. He retired in 1991 after an accident left him unable to work. After his wife’s death on June 9, 1992, he married Donna Gosar at Holy Family Catholic Church in Willard on Dec. 17, 1994. They resided on her farm in the town of Eaton, rural Greenwood, until his death. He had many interests, but especially loved spending time with his family, roses, gardening, collecting toys (cars, heavy equipment and tractors), animals and birdwatching. He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, and was a good-hearted person whom everyone liked.

Iyron is survived by his wife, Donna, of Greenwood; one son: Iyron (Eileen Hales) Handke Jr. of Plover; five step-children: David (Harry Hanlon) Maxwell of Brookfield, Tony (Cindy) Gosar of Greenwood, Frank (Denise) Gosar of Eugene, Ore., John Gosar of Menasha, and Val Gosar of Chili; six grandchildren: Joseph Maxwell, Cindy Langlois, Joshua (Karly Buirge) Gosar, Bethany (Kevin Beisner) Gosar, Benjamin Gosar, and Gregory Gosar; four great-grandchildren: Donavin, Caiden, Braelynn, and Eva; five siblings: Eldon (Donna Mae) Handke of Granton, Laura Lee Zank of Granton, Elmer (Maureen) Handke of Marshfield, Buster (Casey) Handke of Marshfield, and Cheryl Handke of Granton; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Lorraine. The family asks that memorials be directed to the House of the Dove or the charity of choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.