On Saturday, March 2, 2024. Arthur of Weyauwega went to be at home with Jesus at the age of 85.
He was born in Clintonville on June 7, 1938 to Christa and Hannah (Mittelstaedt) Handrich. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton, after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.
At a very young age he picked up can milk for Baldwins Mill Cheese Factory. In his spare time, he helped his two Mittelstaedt uncles farming. He drove their Fergason 30, thrashing the old-style way, when the uncles quit farming, the tractor was given to him. He also did some farming and hauling machinery for Carl Spielgelberg . He also hauled can milk for Willard Wilde.
On March 5, 1961 he and two of his friends decided to go dancing at the Cinderella Ballroom in Appleton. This is where he met the love of his life, dancing partner, Carol Magolski. He had enlisted in the Army in September of 1961 and was called up. After 3 months he came home on leave and married his sweetheart on December 2, 1961.
He decided to drive the big semi tractors over the road, doing long hauls. He drove for Ross Wells, H.F. Dushek, Transtar, Ort and Kohel. During his working years he took many trips with Carol, Hawaii, Caribbean Cruise, 2 European trips, elk hunting in Wyoming, Florida, Nevada, Bahamas and Sault Ste. Marie and into Canada riding the snow train. Art’s trucking ended on November 26, 2008, after 51 ½ years of driving. He blacked out and had a bad truck accident.
Art is survived by his sweetheart: Carol, whom he loved dearly for 62 years; son: Gary (Kim) Handrich; granddaughter: Natiya Vargas, 5 lovely great grandchildren: Ricky, Aliya, Lacia, Anna and Nika; brother: Robert Handrich; Gary (Sandy) Hecker, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christa and Hannah Handrich, brother, Marly and in-laws, Francis and Ethel Magolski.
A Funeral Service was held on Friday, March 15, 2024 at the Maple Crest Funeral Home. Burial was in Baldwins Mill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to help with funeral expenses.