Gary Lavern Handeland

Gary Handeland, age 79, of Story City, IA, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, IA.
Gary Lavern Handeland, son of Gilbert and Ora (Risetter) Handeland was born on December 1, 1944 at home in rural Radcliffe, Iowa. Gary passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa on April 13, 2024.
Salem Lutheran Church was the cornerstone of Gary's faith. Gary was baptized, confirmed, and then united in marriage on February 15th, 1969, to Diane Cole. With God being the foundation, Gary and Diane raised Cara, Wade, and Kay on the family farm. His lifelong passion of farming started at age 11 with his mom and brother Loren, after the passing of their dad. He continued to farm with his son until his last days. Along with growing crops, he took great joy in raising quarter horses for over 35 years.
Gary attended Radcliffe Community Schools where he played all sports, with his true passion being baseball, which he bonded over with his grandson Cole. Gary was most proud of his family, and he enjoyed nothing more than being together. Between sporting events and show rings, he didn't miss an event. There was nothing better to him than going to a show to watch his grandson Carson, ride the horses that Gary had raised. His kind and caring heart, along with his love for candy is something his grandkids will always cherish.
Gary and Diane had a love like no other. Their adventures together included many wild rides starting with running into a gravel pile just north of the farm driveway with Gary's brand new 67 Chevy. There was an ice storm the night before their wedding, they had hidden their car so it wouldn't be decorated. They had planned a getaway car to drive them from the church and that ended in the ditch! Raising Cara, Wade, (and Kay), The 80's farm crisis, a tornado hitting the farm, floods, droughts, the gray hair that came from their rambunctious grandkids, a ten-year Parkinson's diagnosis, Diane never left his side. Truly, a love like none other.
Gary is survived by his loving wife Diane of 55 years, daughter Cara (Rand) Swenson, son Wade Handeland, daughter Kay (Steve) Stenstrom, 6 grandchildren, Kendra, Cole, Carly, Krista Swenson, Carson and Ava Handeland. Gary is also survived by a brother, Loren (Kathy) Handeland, brothers-in-law, Larry (Roni) Cole, and David Cole, along with numerous nieces and nephews, who he loved dearly. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Ora Handeland, sisters, Aloise (Howard) Wilkinson, and Evelyn (Jerry) Davis.
From being a young teenager drag-racing cars to daily drives in his Gator, Gary didn't miss much around Radcliffe which he claimed, "was the greatest place on earth." Gary always welcomed everyone with a firm handshake and warm smile. Even though Parkinson's tried to take a lot from Gary, his strength, love and humor never faded.