Erma Viola Handrich

A tribute to a wife, mother, aunt, sister, a friend to so many! Erma Viola Handrich (Fenske) Age: 87 Resides at Weyauwega, Wisconsin Erma died on Thursday 26, 2012, at her home surrounded with family sharing their ongoing love for her, after a lengthily illness, (terminal pulmonary hypertension). She was born April 17, 1925, at Manawa Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Emil and Emma Fenske,(buchholz). She has 2 sisters, and 6 brothers. Growing up on a farm, she knew all the chores that were required in the home, and in the barn as well. She loved being outside with her brothers, enjoying hunting and fishing with them. She was known to be competitive with them, trying to outshoot and outfish them. She graduated from: "Little Wolf High School, Manawa, Wisconsin". She and Melvin were married October 2, 1943. She was first a wonderful wife and mother. She worked at Sturms of Manawa, Kimberly Clark of Neenah, long time Chef at the following Supper Clubs: Jansen's Steakhouse, Manawa, Oakwood, Waupaca, Holiday Inn, Weyauwega, Hotel Weyauwega, Servin's, Waupaca.. She with husband Mel and son, Wayne owned the White Lake furniture strip shop until retirement. Erma resided in Manawa with her husband Melvin, where they also owned a farm. They moved to Weyauwega, for their retirement home, which was on White Lake. They enjoyed running a wild game farm for a good number of years. Her hobbies were many. Her favorite was her cooking and baking, especially her wild game feeds, with many guests to enjoy. She loved her huge gardens, fruit trees, berry bushes, ending in sharing many foods with family and friends. She loved her time with, quilting, embroidery and crewel work. She enjoyed wildlife, and shared her knowledge with her grandchildren. She loved her years with her husband Melvin, in the North woods, hunting and fishing, at Park Falls, where her son Wayne and wife Nancy reside. She loved traveling west, to Montana and South Dakota for the hunting trips, and her vacations at Gulf Shores, Alabama, where she loved walking the beach, collecting her pails of shells. Erma was a servant, someone who gave completely of herself. The love of her life, was her Lord and Savior, whom she rejoiced in daily, and her husband Melvin of 68 1/2 years, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and so many friends. She loved having gatherings where she was the Chef, cooking for family and friends, making memories. Her greatest achievement, was her faith in God, and she daily prepared for her journey home to be in the arms of her Lord. She often said, "You may mourn, but also rejoice "as this is the celebration of my life." Erma is survived by: Husband: Melvin Handrich Children: Sharon Lee Handrich (Russell Larsen) Weyauwega, Wayne Melvin Handrich (Nancy) Park Falls, Wisconsin. Special Nephew: Dennis Handrich (Malou) Grandchildren: Todd (Debbie) Larsen Weyauwega Holly(Dan Thontlin) Manawa, Wisconsin Sara Larsen(Nick) Portland, Oregon Great Grandchildren: Beau, Brooklyn, Brienna Larsen, Weyauwega, Wisconsin Tyler Thontlin, Manawa, Wisconsin. Brothers and Sisters: Edward Fenske, Sussex, Wisconsin, Harvey Fenske(Mary) Fremont, Wisconsin, Margaret Ross, Weyauwega, Wisconsin, Frieda Mirza, Sarnia, Canada, Herbert Fenske (Maxine) Greenville, Wisconsin, Sister inlaw: Florance Fenske, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and many nieces and nephews. Sister inlaw: Inez Tellock(Glenn) Erma was preceded by: Great Grandchild, Infant Tara Thontlin, Brothers: Herman Fenske, Ervin Fenske, Martin Fenske, Brother in law: Robert Handrich Parents: Emil and Emma Fenske In-laws: Paul and Elsie Handrich Special Thank you's: Pastor Roger Nielsen and Alice Doctor Thomas Lewandowske and RN Anne Dr. Earl Anderson The staff of Waupaca Riverside Hospital Theda Care at Home (Hospice) Special Friend: Sandy Rosenau, who sat at her side, caring for her and family Cline-Hanson-Dahlke Funeral Home, Weyauwega, Wisconsin Friends and family who assisted with funeral and lunch Erma's favorite reading was the 23rd Psalm Three word's to sum up Erma's life, "God is Good."