Howard Handeland

Howard W. Handeland, age 93 of Cottage Grove, passed away July 7, 2019.

Visitation will be held from 9-11 am, Monday, July 15, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, 8500 Hillside Trail, Cottage Grove with the service at 11 am and luncheon following.

Howard William Handeland was born July 23, 1925 in Brainerd, Minnesota to William and Ethel (Madsen) Handeland.  As he grew up, he helped his grandfather on the farm and developed a love for the land.  Howard graduated from Brainerd High School in 1943 where he was active in FFA.  He met Delores Felling and they were later married on August 10, 1948 and lived on South Long Lake near Brainerd where he worked for the local NAPA Store.  Because of Howard’s experience on the farm, he worked for the Farm Bureau Federation where he worked nights and weekends.  In 1962 he was transferred to Windom where he served as a fieldman for many southern counties.  They moved to Cottage Grove where he worked in the Farm Bureau office as a Director of Field Services until his retirement in 1990.

Howard spent most of his retirement years gardening and updating genealogies.   He served on the Lutheran Brotherhood Board, Hastings Concert Board and active with the Sons of Norway.

Howard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Delores; children Cheryl (Gary) Umbreit, Daryl (Mary Kostuch) Handeland and Dana (Wanda) Handeland; grandchildren Jesse (Carissa), Tim (Sara), Molly (Jeff), Devin and Alexis; great-grandchildren Gabriella, Gavin, Landen and Zoe; sister Marlys (Gale) Plante.  He is preceded in death by his parents William and Ethel; brothers Myrlan and John.