Jerry Handke

Jerry Handke, 73, of Guttenberg died with family by his side at home on Sunday, July 9, 2017. 

Visitation was Wednesday, July 12, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Guttenberg and one hour before services at the church. 

Funeral services were Thursday, July 13, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Guttenberg, conducted by Rev. Shane Anderson.

Interment was at Guttenberg City Cemetery.

Jerry was born Aug. 22, 1943, at the family home in Millville, to Ervin and Margaret "Maxine" (Kickbush) Handke. Jerry married Catherine "Cathy" Younker on Feb. 10, 1962, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Guttenberg. Together, they had two children, Brian and Julie.

Jerry graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1961 and joined the Navy shortly thereafter. He was very proud of his Navy service, serving the majority of his time in Newfoundland and California. Jerry worked for the John Deere Dubuque Works for 34 years, retiring in 1997.

Jerry and Cathy spent much of retirement traveling to see family, vacationing and spending time together. They enjoyed a special trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with the entire family in June of 2016. He was the family handyman and his travels always included a “job jar” waiting for him. Regardless of where his travels took him, Jerry never stayed away from the Mississippi River for long. His love for fishing and being on the water was something he instilled in all of his family, especially his grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his wife Cathy, two children, Brian (Sherri) Handke of Linn Creek, Mo., and Julie (Mike) Tuttle of Milton, Ga.; four grandchildren, Braden (Jessica) Handke, Cassidy Handke (Taylor Bax), Spencer Conrad and Lilli Tuttle; one great-grandchild, Kaden Handke; and his sister, Judy (Ron) Koehn of Marion.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Thiese; sisters-in-law, Coralie Heller and Carol Simpson; and brothers-in-law, William Thiese and Laverne "Snooks" Heller.