Linda Handke

Linda J. Handke, 64, of La Crosse, WI, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at her sister's home in La Crosse. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 24th, at 11:00 AM at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, IA, with Pastor Duane Smith officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may greet the family one hour before services on Tuesday at Martin - Grau Funeral Home.

Linda Jo Handke was born on April 15, 1958 in Waukon, IA, the daughter of Harry and Deve (Fish) Ford. She was baptized and confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1976. In 1983, Linda received her LPN license from NIACC and worked at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon and then for six years at the nursing home in Harmony, MN. From 1982 until 2002, Linda was married to Kevin McCormick. She then married Mike Handke in 2004 before divorcing in 2014. In 1990, she then worked as a pharmacy tech at Reagan's Pharmacy in Waukon for 20 years before working in business administration at Northgate Care Center in Waukon from 2010-17, and Bethany St. Joseph Care Center in La Crosse, WI, from 2017 until 2022. When she wasn't working, Linda loved taking care of dogs.

Her family sends a special thank you to Gundersen Medical Center and their hospice, especially to Jason Mowery, RN.

She is survived by her son Bryce McCormick of La Crosse, WI; her sister Lisa (Brian) Selberg of La Crosse; three nieces: Jessica Kendammer of Onalaska, WI, Sarah Starch of Bangor, WI, and Kayla Selberg of La Crosse; a nephew Jared Gatton of England; and four great-nieces and one great-nephew.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Clarke Ford.

Casketbearers are Mike Handke, Jr., Ryan Christensen, Terry and Darrell Ford, Kevin Mark, and Paul Schafer.