Mary Elizabeth Handrich died August 11, 2021 in Valparaiso, IN, at age 98. She was born to Joseph and Stella (Sharp) Lehman in Kenmare, ND, on September 15, 1922. She was baptized at Spring Valley Mennonite Church in Kenmare. Six years after her father died (in 1928) her mother moved the family to Fairview, MI, where she graduated from Fairview High School in 1940. She studied one year at Hesston (KS) College before marrying Willard Handrich on December 31, 1941.
From 1942-45, while Willard served in Civilian Public Service, she worked as a school secretary, housekeeper, and nanny. They traveled together to his service locations in Pennsylvania, Montana, and Florida. In 1945 they settled in Millersburg, MI, where Willard was a partner in a seed and grain elevator business. Four years later they moved to Grand Marais, MI, where they founded the Grand Marais Mennonite Church and raised five children. From 1966-1978, they were owner-operators of Grand Marais Industries.
Mary led an active life as a homemaker, church worker, 4-H leader, bookkeeper, seamstress, gardener, food preserver, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She loved to pick wild blueberries and to share the produce from her garden.
In retirement, she and Willard divided their time between Grand Marais and Alamo, TX, where they volunteered, walked, and bicycled in the Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge. They enjoyed travel, visiting numerous countries and many US states, including two trips to Alaska, where she canned the salmon that Willard caught. She spent her final years in Valparaiso, IN, where she continued her love of reading, singing, and laughing until her death.
She is survived by one son, Roderick Handrich, and three daughters, Carla (Vernon) Stoltzfus, Shirley (Mario) Bustos, and Joetta (Gerald) Schlabach, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, one son and daughter-in-law, Eldon and Maggie (Prunty) Handrich, six siblings and their spouses, Reuel (Agnes) Lehman, Ruth (Herman) Buller, Genevieve (Ralph) Buckwalter, David (Doris) (Lola) Lehman, Ethel (Daniel) Slabaugh, and Josephine (Emery) Swartzendruber.
A service of remembrance and singing, followed by a meal, will be held August 29, 4 p.m. CDT at Crossing Community Church, 1305 Silhavy Rd., Valparaiso, IN. A memorial service will be held in Grand Marais in summer 2022 when grandchildren will be able to gather. In lieu of flowers, Mary would ask that we “reduce, refuse, reuse, and recycle.” Memorial contributions can be directed to the international peacemaking ministry of Mennonite Central Committee, PO Box 500, Akron, PA, 17501-0500, http://mcc.org/ , or to a charity of your choice.