Handy, Minnie S. (Mrs. Homer M.), 1878-1938

HANDY, LEE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/11/2014 at 23:48:46

MRS. H. M. HANDY DIED SUNDAY
Death Came After Brief Illness From Pneumonia
Was 60 Years Old and Had Lived in Hawarden Over 25 Years.--Leaves Husband and Four Children

Mrs. H. M. Handy, a resident of Hawarden for the past twenty-five years, passed away shortly after 6 o'clock Sunday morning at the Hawarden hospital from pneumonia. On Feb. 25th Mrs. Handy suffered a broken wrist in a fall while going from her home to the café and after that she complained of a pain in her chest. She then developed a severe case of the flu and later pneumonia set in and in her weakened condition she was unable to overcome the ravages of the disease.

Minnie Silver Lee, daughter of Capt. Chas. Newell and Lucy Lee, was born at Eldora, Iowa, March 4, 1878, and passed away Feb. 13, 1938, having just passed her 60th birthday. Her parents passed away when she was a young girl and so she came to Rock Rapids and made her home with her brother, Frank Lee. She was united in marriage with Homer M. Handy at Rock Valley June 16, 1897, and to this union four children were born, who with her husband are left to mourn her death.

After her marriage she made her home in Rock Valley for 15 years where she and Mr. Handy operated a hotel. In 1912 the family came to Hawarden and for four years they operated the North Western Depot hotel and they then opened a café in the Gladstone hotel. In 1925 Mr. and Mrs. Handy opened the Handy Café which they have continued to operate through these years. She was a real partner with her husband in business and worked with him constantly, never sparing herself in any way.

The children are Mrs. Nina Haines, Hawarden; Ted, Philadelphia, Pa.; Arthur J. of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Fred Marvin, who is a Junior in high school. She also leaves nine grandchildren. She was the last member of her family, two brothers having preceded her in death. A niece, Dorothy Lee, of Sioux Falls, and a nephew, Oscar Lee of Dawson, Minn., also survive her.

Mrs. Handy was beloved by all who knew her and those who came in contact with her formed lasting friendships. Hers was a busy life most of which she spent in rearing her family and assisting her husband in his business and thus she had little time for outside interests. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters lodge in Hawarden until it disbanded a number of years ago. Her sudden death is a severe blow to her husband who will greatly miss her companionship and guidance and also to her children who have lost a most devoted and kind mother and to them is extended sincere sympathy in their hour of sorrow.

Funeral services were held at the Associated church at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon with Rev. T. H. Harding in charge. Mrs. Ralph Doty, with Mrs. Clause Lage as accompanist, sang two lovely solos. The floral tributes were many and beautiful attesting to the esteem in which the deceased was held by her many friends. Interment was made in Grace Hill cemetery. The business houses were closed during the services.

Out of town relatives and friends who attended the funeral included Ted Handy of Philadelphia, Pa.; Jack Handy of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. Minnie Curtis and Mrs. H. F. Green of Minneapolis; Dorothy Lee and Mrs. Maude Coon of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Mrs. Matt Agnes and Mrs. J. C. Linnan of Fort Dodge; Mr. and Mrs. Will Handy of Worthington, Minn.; Tom Abraham of Rock Rapids; Mrs. James Thomas, Mrs. John Kerns and Mrs. George Kessler of Rock Valley; Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Bechtel of Sibley; and Mr. and Mrs. O. Parkin of Hudson.

Source: Hawarden Independent, March 17, 1938.