Vida Colleen Handgen

Vida Colleen "Coke" Handgen passed peacefully on March 9, 2025 in Sarasota, FL after a valiant and courageous journey with Alzheimer's Disease. Sincere thanks to her Empath Tidewell Hospice team, Lighthouse staff, Fox Therapy team, and ActivAge Sarasota, for their TLC and dedication. Born in Warsaw, IN, Ms. Handgen graduated from Leesburg HS and Manchester College, and received her master's degree from Ball State University. She relocated from Indiana to Anna Maria, FL in the late 1960s and then in 1978 to the home she designed in DeSoto Acres, Sarasota. Retired from Sarasota County schools, where she served as guidance counselor at Sarasota HS and as director of guidance at Pineview School, Ms. Handgen was the first woman to serve as a high school athletic director in Sarasota County. Predeceased by parents Vida Louise Bricker Handgen and Edward Albert Handgen, brothers Edward Allen Handgen and Lewis Devon Handgen and cousin Helen Heiman and aunt Joan Loewenstein. Survivors include niece Kelly Dee Handgen Bernard and husband Donald Bernard, niece Sabrina Handgen Johnson and husband Jay Johnson, nieces Kim Lynette Handgen Sandstrom and Kristine Leigh Handgen, nephews Erin Handgen and Kurt Devon Handgen, cousins Randy Bricker, Elyse Remick, T.O. Loewenstein, and Vicki Hulse, sister-in-law Nancy Handgen, and Australian Shepherd dogs Skeye and Sunni.
Other survivors include Coke's companion Janet, dear friends Denise and Lou, Jill, Cheryl, Lorie, Sharon, Kelley, Shani, Sue, Aurelia, Lisa, Robyn, Charlotte, Pam, Chrisi, Pam, BJ and Ben, many more close friends and neighbors, and former students and colleagues.
Coke cherished all animals, especially her dogs, and loved nature, wildlife, the water, riding her motorcycle and John Deere tractor, and driving her RV. Remembered for her beautiful, loving, and contagious smile, laugh, and especially endearing wink of approval, Coke enjoyed drinking Coca-Cola from an 8 ounce glass bottle and eating a pint of ice cream before bedtime. She lived each day with happiness, energy, independence, determination, enthusiasm, curiosity, and ingenuity, had a playful and adventurous nature, and desired to help others and advocate for all. Coke was young at heart and always on the go. Honoring Coke's wishes, there will be no memorial service. Donations in her memory may be made to the pet charity of your choice, to the Aging Services Program at JFCS of the Suncoast, or Empath Tidewell Hospice. Interment of Ms. Handgen's cremains and those of her many beloved dogs will be at Oswego Cemetery, Warsaw, IN. 3/11 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Vida, please visit our Tree Store.