Herman Handy

1929 - 2014

Herman Buck Handy, 85, passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, June 17, 2014.

He was born April 10, 1929, in Preston, Idaho, to Herman Mendenhall Handy and Annie Adelade Buck Handy. He was the oldest of four children. He spent some of his summers with his grandparents. He attended Idaho Falls High School. He had played the piano at the Chief Theater in Pocatello and other places.

He served as a cook in the Navy for six years, including during the Korean War. He crossed the Pacific many times, and spent time on Guam and on Adak Island in Alaska cooking and baking. He enjoyed working with his staff and fishing in his spare time, and later, telling his grandchildren stories about his experiences.

Herman married Wanda Madge Nielsen in Idaho Falls on Aug. 5, 1955. They had five sons, Dale, Gene, Norman, Kevin and Brian. They lived first on 17th Street in Idaho Falls, and then, when town was growing up around them, moved onto a small acreage south of Idaho Falls on St. Clair Road.

Dad started working at Challenge Dairy in Idaho Falls the day after Dale was born. He worked there until it closed down in the 1980s. He worked with the sexton at Taylor Cemetery for many years and helped Gene in his wood shop right up to the end. He had also taken on remodel projects for many people over the years, and helped many of the neighbors with farming activities. He also involved himself and several sons in beekeeping projects.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda of Idaho Falls; sons, Dale L. (Connie) Handy, Gene (Xiomara) Handy, Norman Handy and Kevin Handy, all of Idaho Falls, and Brian (Mayumi) Handy of Bozeman, Mont.; grandsons, Michael, Dan, Mark, David, Paul, Brandon and Mutsuki; granddaughters, Vicky, Melissa and Christina; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Gladys (Gordon) Martinell of Dell, Mont.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents; a stillborn sister, Phyllis Dawn; and by his brother, Jerry.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23, at Taylor Cemetery with Dale Handy officiating. Military rites are under the direction of Bonneville Veterans Team and the Idaho National Guard. Arrangements are under the direction of Buck-Miller-Hann Funeral Home in Idaho Falls.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.buckmillerhann.com.