Leon G. "Hank" Handke M.D.

NORFOLK – Funeral service for Leon G. “Hank” Handke, M.D., 86, of Norfolk will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2023 at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Norfolk. Officiating the service will be Rev. Paul Hirsch. The service will be livestreamed on the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church website at www.stpls.com. Burial will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Norfolk. Military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 16, V.F.W. Post 1644, and the United States Air Force. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Norfolk. Hank went to meet his heavenly Father on Sunday, August 27, 2023 at his residence, rural Norfolk. Dr. Handke was born on January 17, 1937 to Elwin and Vernie (Hass) Handke of Pilger, NE. He attended grade school in Pilger and graduated from high school in Wisner, NE in 1954. In 1958 he received a biology degree from Wayne State College and later earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He did an internship in general medical practice at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. In 1960, Hank married Connee Troutman of Winside, NE, and of this union was born four children. In 1964, he was drafted into the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon stationed at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, TX and McClellan AFB in Sacramento, CA. He joined the general practice of Felix Hach, M.D. in Ankeny, IA in 1967, and moved to Pierce, NE in 1973 to begin a solo medical practice. On June 9, 1984, he married Pamela David. Hank and Pam enjoyed traveling the world for both adventure and mission work, seeing amazing sites, creating wonderful memories, and sharing the love of God to many in need. These missions included several trips to Latvia, Russia and 6 months serving the medical and educational needs for God’s children in Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. Dr. Handke was a beloved and trusted physician to patients and their families in Pierce and Madison counties in rural Northeast Nebraska until his initial retirement in 1991. He didn’t stay retired for long. He performed locum tenens work and eventually returned to work full time as an emergency room physician at Our Lady of Lourdes in Norfolk until 1995. He returned to a full medical practice and he retired for good in 2000. Hank enjoyed many hobbies. His meticulous sense of detail built many model airplanes to exacting specifications. He was a voracious card player, with a passion for bridge and cribbage where he regularly beat anyone who dared challenge him. He had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor, with a catalog of jokes spanning decades. He loved his country and respected those who served to protect our freedom. He was a kind and generous husband, father, and friend to many. Most of all, Hank knew the love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and he saved as many souls as he did lives. Hank is survived by his wife Pamela Handke of Norfolk, his children, Lane (Cathleen) Handke of Pierce, SueAnn (Larry) Schwanke, Lee (Jennifer) Handke, Luke (Shawna) Handke all of Omaha; 11 grandchildren, 1 great grandson, 1 great granddaughter on the way; siblings, Maralee Bahe of Norfolk, Darrel Handke of Lincoln, Linda (Butch) Koehlmoos of Ord, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Hank is preceded in death by his parents Elwin and Vernie. Pall bearers will be Philip Handke, Garrett Handke, Drew Fasse, Dana Handke, Meredith Fasse, Micah Schwanke, Nathan Schwanke, Peter Handke, and Zachary Handke. Honorary pall bearers will be Ken Shriver, Rocky Thompson, Dr. Bill Foster, and George Welch. The family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Norfolk, of which Hank was a loyal member. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Leon G. "Hank" Handke M.D.

January 17, 1937 - August 27, 2023