Obituary for Catherine Irene Handke

Catherine I. Handke, 83, of Guttenberg, Iowa, passed away on June 5th, 2026, in Osage Beach, Missouri with her children by her side.

Cathy was born on October 5, 1942, in Oelwein Iowa to Everett and Ruth Younker. She was baptized October 25, 1942, and confirmed into Christian faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church on January 29, 1961.

Cathy grew up in Fonda, Iowa and moved to Guttenberg as a Junior in high school. She graduated as Salutatorian from Guttenberg High School in 1961. Cathy married the love of her life, Jerry Handke on February 10, 1962, at St John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg. Throughout her life she was a Navy wife, Mother, Grandmother and was especially proud of the title of Great Grandma to 5. Many will remember her as a lunch lady at school and later in life as a cashier at Mackey’s Super Value. She and Jerry were staples of the Guttenberg community and their 55-year marriage was one of a kind.

Cathy was known for her kindness, humor and her dedication to her family. She and Jerry enjoyed traveling and spending time with family. She was an avid Minnesota Vikings and Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed coffee and occasional rum & Coke (which was actually one of her final requests).

Cathy is survived by her son, Brian (Sherri) Handke and daughter, Julie Tuttle; 4 grandchildren: Braden (Jessica) Handke, Cassidy (Taylor) Bax, Spencer Conrad, and Lilli Tuttle; great grandchildren: Kaden, Emersyn, and Hayes Handke and Kennedy and Kamden Bax; her sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Ronald Koehn; as well as several nieces and nephews. Cathy was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Handke; her parents, Everett and Ruth Younker; her in-laws, Ervin and Maxine Handke; son-in-law, Mike Tuttle; sisters, Coralie Heller and Carol Simpson; brothers-in-law, Laverne (Snooks) Heller and Don Simpson; and sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Thiese.

Details for a Memorial gathering in Guttenberg are pending at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to any Guttenberg organization of your choice.

The family greatly appreciates all the cards and well wishes she received in the final weeks of her illness.