Hyllis Eleanor (Ullestad) Handsaker (1923-2019)

HANDSAKER, ULLESTAD, HODNEFIELD, CALLAHAN, YOUNG, JOYCE, KLEINKE

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

Obituary From Boeke Funeral Homes, Hardin County, Iowa.

Hyllis Handsaker, age 95 of Story City, IA, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019 at Bethany Life Communities in Story City.

Hyllis Eleanor (Ullestad) Handsaker was born on October 27, 1923 to Jacob & Helena (Hodnefield) Ullestad of Radcliffe, Iowa. She passed onto her Heavenly Father on June 10, 2019.

Hyllis was a lifelong member of Salem Lutheran Church of rural Radcliffe where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Hyllis graduated from Radcliffe High School in 1941 as Valedictorian of her class. After graduation she attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and upon graduating in 1943, worked in Ames, Iowa. She worked as a secretary until her marriage to Vernon Handsaker on June 14, 1947 at Salem Lutheran Church in Radcliffe. They lived on the Handsaker homeplace North of Colo, Iowa until 1951 at which time they moved to a farm West of Radcliffe. They had four sons; Jim, Jerry, Paul and Roger. Hyllis worked alongside Vernon as they built their farming operation. They remained active in farming until 1982 when they moved to Story City.

During this time, Hyllis was active in the church by serving on many different committees, Sunday School teacher, and played the organ in church for many years. She was an amazing seamstress, not only sewing for herself (including leisure suits for her husband and sons), but for many other family members as well. Later in life, she became an avid quilter, presenting every family member a quilt, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Throughout their life together, Hyllis and Vernon enjoyed taking vacations and loved traveling in their motor home for many years. They wintered in Arizona and Texas and made many new friends during this time. In the summer months, they traveled to other places with friends and family including Alaska, Europe, and Mexico.

Hyllis is survived by her sons Jim (Judy) Handsaker of Story City, Jerry (Janet) Handsaker of Roland, Paul (Bonnie) Handsaker of Radcliffe, and Roger (Sandy) Handsaker of Radcliffe. Her grandchildren Jacob (Mindy) Handsaker, Brett (Kayla) Handsaker, Brian (Erin) Handsaker all of Radcliffe, Melissa Callahan of Altoona, IA, Lori (Jonathon) Young of Chandler, AZ, Danielle (Josh) Joyce of Ramsey, MN, David (Lydia) Handsaker of Eugene, OR, Jon (Bethany) Handsaker of Baltic, SD, Logan (Nettie) Handsaker of Ames, IA, and Angela (Brandon) Kleinke of Ames, IA, 24 great grandchildren and one brother, Argyl Ullestad of Ankeny, IA.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon, her parents, sister Janet (at 5 years of age due to Leukemia), brothers Lester and Vernon Ullestad.

Funeral Service
Saturday 15 Jun 10:30 AM
Salem Lutheran Church
3400 Ziegler Ave
Radcliffe, IA 50230

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