Mae Handke

Mae M. Handke, 90, of Bronson, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the Church of the Nativity Catholic Church. Burial was at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Oto, Iowa.

Mae was born on December 30, 1926, the daughter of Nicholas and Anna (Hehn) Gotto in Oto, Iowa. She married Herald Handke on May 27, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oto. They made their home in Bronson since 1958. Herald died in 1995.

Mae worked for the Lawton-Bronson Schools for 37 years, as a cook at the Bronson school.

Her grandchildren were her life. She enjoyed spending time with them and going to all of their activities. She loved visiting with people and always opened her home to her friends and family.

Mae is best known for her cooking. She won several Best Baker awards for her famous cookies and homemade buns at local auctions.

She was a member of the Church of the Nativity Catholic Church.

Mae is survived by her son, Jim (Sue) Handke of Sioux City; her daughter, JoAnn (Russell) Black of Salix; one sister, Doris (Joe) O’Connell of Smithland; six grandchildren: Erin and Tyler Handke of Sioux City; Jennifer (Justin) Mitchell of Sloan; Jesse (Ashley) Black of Salix; Jason (Amber) Black of Sioux City; and Lonnie (Lana) Black of Salix; and 8 great-grandchildren: Kalla, Khloe, Aubrey, Nick, Tristan, Jessica, Sami, and Evan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herald; four brothers: Leo, Nick, Henry, and Joe; and three sisters: Margaret, Anne, and Kate.