Frances Handke

Frances M. (Navinskey) Handke, 94, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Atchison Medicalodge.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Patrick’s Church, with interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. A parish rosary will be recited before mass at 9:30 A.M with visitation following until service time at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Patrick’s Cemetery Endowment Fund or St. Croix Hospice and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Frances was born October 14, 1931, to William and Dorothy Marie (Hampton) Navinskey. She attended Atchison County Community Schools and graduated in 1949.

On June 6, 1949, she married Robert Handke, and together they shared more than 76 years of marriage. Frances was strong, capable, and never afraid of hard work. She helped with the family business, driving trucks to the elevator, and later spent 22 years as an over-the-road semi driver.

Above all, Frances was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother with an infectious giggle. She served as a 4-H sewing leader and found joy in reading and crocheting, creating over 100 afghan blankets for family and friends. A talented seamstress, she lovingly made clothing for many and even created a wedding dress, leaving behind treasured pieces and memories.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; her children, Gary Handke, Wayne (Terri) Handke, Robert James Handke, Glen (Jennie) Handke, Phil Handke, Peggy (Ron) Lutz and Karen (Nelson) Birkinsha; twenty-one grandchildren, thirty-seven great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Additional survivors are her sisters, Carol (Dick) Erpelding, Ginger (Harold) Schrick, and Janet Myers, and sister-in-law, Rita Navinskey.

She is preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in laws Kathy Handke and Angela Handke; sisters Joyce (Richard) Haupt, and an infant sister Dorothy Navinskey; brothers and their wives Edward (Joan), William (Frieda), Gerald (Mary) and Richard Navinskey; and brother-in law Ronald Myers.