Mark F. Handrich

Aug. 3, 1949-Oct. 20, 2015

Mark F. Handrich, 66, of Green Lake, Wis., died unexpectedly on Oct. 20, 2015, at his home. He was born Aug. 3, 1949, at Berlin Memorial Hospital, Berlin, Wis., to Shirley (Radtke) and Wilfred Handrich. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church of Berlin and attended St. John Lutheran School through 8th grade, graduating from Berlin High School in 1967.

He was an avid sports fan and played basketball in the grade school elementary league comprised at that time of St. John’s Lutheran school, St. Joseph, St. Stanislaus and St. Michael’s catholic schools and Clay Lamberton Elementary and Berlin High School. He also played fast pitch baseball in high school and slow pitch in Berlin’s recreational leagues.  

After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin La Crosse for 1.5 years. He then moved to Colorado and entered the construction trades. In 1975, he moved to Alaska with his brother Gary and resided in Homer. While  there he worked on the Alaska pipeline, the Sterling Highway in the Kenai Peninsula, the new Homer High School, and the Bradley Lake Electric Authority across from Kachemak Bay, among other construction jobs across the state.

Mark loved Alaska, especially the bear hunting, salmon and halibut fishing, and has many trophies to show for it. Mark returned to Wisconsin in 1995 and took employment with the C. R. Meyer Company in Oshkosh. He was involved with projects including the current Berlin High School and additions to Mercy Medical Center and other construction projects. Mark was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Wisconsin Badgers, attending many  games until his health failed him the past year.

Mark is survived by his parents, Wilfred (Bill) and Shirley Handrich of Berlin; his brothers, Gary Handrich of Homer and Steven (Gail) Handrich of Oshkosh, Wis.; one sister, Jodi (Steve) Berry of Westland, Mich.; nephews, Tracy Handrich and Blake Berry; nieces, Jennifer (Corey) Klettke and their children Jessica and Isabella, Stephanie Handrich and Jordan Berry. He is further survived by his dear friend, Pat Splitt, and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Fred and Martha (Sattler) Handrich and Frederick and Esther (Gruetzmacher) Radtke; sister-in-law, Pamela Handrich, and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A visitation and funeral service was held on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at St. John Lutheran Church of Berlin with Pastor Bryan Lundquist officiating. Burial took place in Oakwood Cemetery of Berlin.

For an online memorial video and guestbook please go to wieckiskipchakfuneralhome.com.