In Loving Memory
Lois A. Handeland
September 30, 1928 - January 2, 2016

VISITATION
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
1:00 - 2:00 P.M.
Immanuel Evangelical Church
4 miles south of Gruver and 1/2 mile west

SERVICE
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
2:00 P.M.
Immanuel Evangelical Church
4 miles south of Gruver and 1/2 mile west

CLERGY
Randy James

ORGANIST
Pat Young

CASKET BEARERS
Jason Handeland
Matt Handeland
Mark Handeland
Wes Snyder
Claytan Handeland
Coltan Handeland

INTERMENT
Wallingford Cemetery
Wallingford, Iowa

Lois Agnes (Williams) Handeland, daughter of Virgil and Jennie (Holl) Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 30, 1928. Her mother passed away from cancer when Lois was 11 so she was raised by her father and stepmother, her grandparents, and family friends. She attended 16 different schools throughout her childhood and graduated from Estherville High School in 1948.

She was united in marriage to Lester Handeland on February 28, 1948 at the Dolliver Methodist Church. From this union two sons were born: Timothy in 1948 and Danial in 1950. They lived in rural Dolliver and rural Estherville for many years where they farmed and Lois raised chickens. They later moved to Estherville and then Emmetsburg where they currently resided. She worked alongside Lester in a variety of projects throughout their entire life together ranging from farming, owning a Montgomery Ward Catalog Store and a furniture store, remodeling, construction and rentals. While it appeared on paper that Lois was the assistant, she may have truly been the boss!

Lois always had a big garden, loved flowers, sewed gifts for her grandchildren, and loved giving them apple butter. She even gave Lester and Tim instructions to make a batch for Christmas gifts this year. Besides the apple butter, she will be remembered for her gifts of cookies, the wrapping paper made from the comics section, and her birthday cakes with the white fluffy frosting.

Despite her poor health during her 15-year cancer battle, she never complained about her health or let it stop her from doing what she enjoyed. Lois was a member of Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Estherville, a member of the women's group of the church, and quilted on Mondays. She was a past member of the CCC Club and also a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary in Emmetsburg.

Lois was preceded in death by her son, Danial; parents, Virgil and Jennie Williams; a brother, Don; and a half brother, Virgil (VJ) Williams.

She is survived by her husband, Lester of Emmetsburg, Iowa; her son, Tim and Donna Handeland of Estherville; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Handeland of Wallingford, Iowa; grandchildren, Amy Wilcox of LaVista, Nebraska, Jason and Carrie Handeland of Iowa Falls, Iowa, Matt and Karen Handeland of Waverly, Iowa, Mark Handeland of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jennifer and Wes Snyder of Colfax, Iowa; great grandchildren, Bridgette and Spencer Wilcox, Claytan, Coltan and Brooklyn Handeland, Ella and Ava Snyder; sisters-in-law, Alice Olson and Helen Birkland; half brothers, John, Ron and Gary Williams; many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home