Ted Handke

Teddy Joe Handke, 79, died November 16, 2018 at his home of 52 years in Tuttle, OK. Ted was born April 5, 1939 to Simon Finster and Jessie Allison Handke on the family farm on the Grady/McClain County Line. Ted attended Newcastle Public Schools from first through twelfth grade where he graduated in 1957. During his high school years, Ted played baseball, was active in FFA, drove a school bus, and helped his parents with their farm and dairy. After graduation, determined to earn a college degree, Ted attended Cameron State College where he played on the 1958 NJCAA Baseball National Championship team coached by Ted Owens. He transferred to Oklahoma State University, and in 1962 he earned a degree in Agriculture Education, the first person in his immediate and extended family to earn a college degree. While at OSU, Ted worked for Central Oklahoma Milk Producers, IOA Boys Ranch, and Mid-Continent Co-op in Yukon, OK. He married Yvonne Peters on July 20, 1961 in Spencer, OK. The couple lived in several locations including Paoli, OK, Gainesville, TX, and Crutcho, OK before settling in Tuttle, OK. Ted worked as a farmer, a trucker, a welder, in construction, and for OG&E in several capacities before going to work as a millwright for General Motors in 1985. He retired from GM in 2004. Although he worked in the city, he was always a farmer in his soul. Ted enjoyed gardening and giving away the vegetables he grew, especially his sweet corn. After he retired, he practiced his ability to take scrap pieces of materials and turn them into useful items. He built several sheds for animals out of scraps. He turned old water heaters and sections of pipe into cookers and smokers. For several days, he would think about how to fix or create something, and then he built it. He did not draw plans; he just built from the pictures in his mind. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he spent time doing both with his sons and friends. Ted is survived by his wife, Yvonne, of the home; son - Jeff Handke and wife, Angela, of Wann OK; son - Ken Handke and wife, Donna, of Tuttle; daughter - Sonda Wilson of Tuttle; 8 grandchildren - Elizabeth Paulus and husband, John, of Blanchard; Emily Morgan and husband, Landon, of South Coffeyville, OK; Zachary Handke and wife, Brooke, of Arnett, OK; Branden Handke and wife, Sarah, of Pawhuska, OK; Colten Handke of Wann; Rebecca Handke of Tuttle, OK; Dakota Handke of Wann; and Jessie Wilson of Tuttle; 5 great-grandchildren - Raelyn and Waden Paulus, Kasyn and Asa Handke, and Jolee Kate Morgan; 1 sister - Bobbie Chaney and husband, John, of Mustang; 1 sister-in-law, Louise Handke of Oklahoma City, and several nieces and nephews. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Jessie Handke; 4 brothers - Gene Handke, Jimmie Handke, Carl Handke, and Walter Handke; 1 sister - Wilmuth Crabb; and 1 grandson - Edward Lee Wilson II. Funeral Services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at the Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Monday evening at Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Tri-City. Send online condolences @ wilsonlittle.com.

Ted Handke

April 5, 1939 - November 16, 2018