Diane E. Handrick

Diane Evelyn (Oelke) Handrick, 70, of Marathon, WI, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018 at 3:10pm under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Colonial Center of Colby.

Diane was born September 19, 1948 in Wausau, WI to the late Victor and Lucelia (Bruns) Oelke.  On August 2, 1969, she married Duane Handrick.

Diane was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother.  Among her favorite pastimes, she enjoyed gardening, cooking/baking, reading, going to garage sales and craft shows, taking the occasional trip to the casino and watching her daughters and grandsons participate in sporting events.  She was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years.  She had a handful of part-time jobs but her true calling and greatest joy came from her role as a proud homemaker, a stay-at-home mom and being “Grandma” to Bryce and “Nana” to Cohen and Braham.  She was kind and always welcomed friends and family with a smile that could light up a room.

The family has comfort knowing that God embraced her in his arms during her favorite holiday season, Christmas.  She loved meticulously decorating the Christmas tree, displaying her collection of old world Santa’s and nutcrackers, making Christmas cookies/candies and always enjoyed the family tradition of making homemade popcorn balls. 

Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Duane, Marathon, her daughters Jody (Kelly) Seubert, Marathon and Jenell (Chad) Kuehne, Anoka, MN, three grandsons Bryce Seubert, Cohen Kuehne and Braham Kuehne, her brother Donald (Sue) Oelke, Lake Nokomis, WI and sister Nancy (Rudy) Zimbauer, Lake Tomahawk, WI, as well as many other family and friends who loved her dearly.

The family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Center of Colby and St. Croix Hospice for the love and care Diane received during her time with them.

The visitation and funeral service will take place Saturday, December 8 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 206 Hemlock Street, Marathon.  Reverend Jon Hadler will officiate.  Visitation for family and friends will be from 9am – 12pm.  The funeral service will begin at 12pm, followed by a luncheon in the fellowship hall.  Burial will be in St. Matthew Cemetery, Marathon.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.