Irene Mary Handzus

Irene Handzus, 98, of Lakefield, Minnesota entered into eternal rest on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at the Jackson Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dale Hedstrom officiating. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place immediately following the funeral service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

Irene Mary Handzus (Hample) was born October 28, 1921 to Mary and Fred Hample.  She attended Middletown country school through 8th grade, then went to Jackson High School where her class was the first to graduate from the new building in 1939.  

After graduation she was a bookkeeper for the Co-op in Jackson and transferred later to Minneapolis.  She married Albert Handzus on May 2, 1944 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  They made their home on the family farm in Minneota township. They were blessed with 5 children.  Irene enjoyed being a homemaker, farm wife, mother, and grandmother.

On November 24, 1988 Albert passed away and Irene continued living on the farm.

Irene was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hunter township.  She taught Sunday school for many years, worked on many church committees, was a member of Ladies Aid and Senior League.  She loved God and her church family

Irene enjoyed going places, seeing new sites, gardening, and cooking. Most of all she enjoyed being with her family. She always was available to help on the farm whether it was running for parts or holding a bolt.  She was an accomplished seamstress, gardener and loved to cook. There were always treats and coffee for any visitor to the farm.  The cookie jar was always full.

Irene’s sense of adventure meant trying new things even into her later years.  This included 3 trips to Hawaii and a train trip to Seattle.  Even in her nineties she was riding with Dave in the tractor snow blowing or on the four-wheeler with him to check cows.

She was gentle, kind, and compassionate to all.

Irene is survived by 3 daughters. Charlene (Bernard) Pavelko, Sharon Kovaleski, Betty Hunt and 2 sons Michael (Sheryl) Handzus and David (Shirley) Handzus.  She is also survived by her sister Gladys Mellum, nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Albert, her parents Mary and Fred Hample and brothers Lloyd, Henry, Harry and Roy Hample and brother-in-law John Mellum and sisters-in-law Ardys, Anne, Mary, and Helen Hample.

Blessed be the memory of Irene Mary Handzus

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