Louis J. Handziak

Accepting the Lord’s will, Louis Joe Handziak passed away on January 3, 2026 at Acension Hospice Care.

“Thy will be done” was Louis’s motto and because of his trust in the Lord, he was given many gifts and blessings during his long life.

Louis was born May 29, 1936, to Edward and Alice Handziak in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Most of his childhood was spent in Spokane, Washington where during the WWII years his mother was a Rosie the Riveter.

Lou graduated from Sault Ste. Marie high school and attended Lake Superior College for one year before joining the U.S. Navy to see the world.

In 1956, Marian Korth, a college student at UWM heard the question asked: “Who will go on a blind date with a sailor from Great Lakes?” and answered: “I will.”

Two years later, April 8, 1958 the couple exchanged “I do’s” at St. John’s Catholic church in Antigo, Wisconsin. They boarded the North Shore railroad for a short honeymoon in Kenosha and Chicago. Then the new Mrs. Handziak went back to school and Lou went back to Norfolk.

The couple was united in Aug. in Alameda, California where Lou was assigned to the newly commissioned U.S.S. Ranger (CVA-61) aircraft carrier. After four months in Alameda, however, the Ranger sailed off on a seven month deployment and Marian went back home to Antigo.

After training in electronics, with the US Navy, Louis began his career in 1960 working on President Kennedy’s space program (Titan on Target on Time) at A.C. Electronics in Oak Creek. In 1970, Handziak joined the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. and became the corporate manager of electrical engineering for the company’s container division. In 1983, he transferred to Detroit in the same position for the Stroh’s Brewery container division. The couple moved to Racine in 1990 and Handziak was employed by

In-Sink-Erator until retirement in 2000.

The Handziaks were avid cyclists and have biked every Rails to Trails in Wisconsin, along with several organized bike tours in Wisconsin and Michigan. They have also biked trails in Germany and Austria and mountain passes in Colorado.

At age 50, they became runners-participating in road races including the 10-mile Lighthouse Run up until the 70 and over age group. They also enjoyed golfing and cross-country skiing at nearby Shoop Park.

The Handziak’s have been blessed with five children; Mara (Gary Rantanan) Evans, of West Allis; Joan (Brian) Hoerning of Lusby, Md; Perry (Jean) of Belgium, Wi; Tom (Tracy) of Delafield; and Liza (Kevin Cushing) of Ossining, Ny. The couple has 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Louis is survived by his wife and children; sister Rose Menard, Sugar Island, MI; sisters-in-law Ruth and Louise Korth; and daughter-in-law Katie Ash.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers Edward and Stanley, four brothers-in-law Irving, Kenneth and Louis Korth, and Joe Menard.

Though known as a quiet man, Louis enjoyed being with people, and participated in church activities at St. Joseph’s Church, and especially in two weekly prayer groups.

In December 2024, he was admitted to Lakeshore at Siena’s Memory Support where he was in the care of many loving people.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 9, 2026, 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie Street with Rev. Timothy Sanchez officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Relatives and friends may meet Thursday at the funeral home 5-7 pm and Friday at the church 10-11 am. Memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church have been suggested.