Karen Ann Handley
Obituary
Sadly, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister and friend, Karen Ann Handley, died on January 3, 2025 at the age of 84. She was a genuinely kind and loving lady, who carried herself, always, with grace and dignity. Born on December 31, 1940, in Salinas, California, Karen was the firstborn of Alice and Larry Struve. Karen excelled in school and graduated from Salinas High School in 1958 and from Hartnell College in 1960. It was while attending Hartnell that she met her love, Wayne Handley. The two were married in April of 1961 and moved to Coronado where Wayne was stationed in the Navy.
In 1965, Wayne and Karen moved to Greenfield, California where they raised their three children. Karen embraced motherhood with love and selflessness. When she wasn't managing the office of their business, Crop Flight, Karen dedicated herself to her children and their many activities. Karen was passionate about family traditions and created holiday gatherings no one wanted to miss. She loved family ski trips in the winter and enjoyed time at their cabin in Arroyo Seco in the summers. Karen was active in Rainbow Girls, Girl Scouts,The Junior League and The Steinbeck House. She also enjoyed gardening, was a brilliant bridge player and an avid reader.
In 1984 Wayne and Karen began traveling the country for Wayne's career in the airshow business and met many treasured friends along the way. These years were full of festivities and adventure, which Karen always embraced with her signature warmth and charm.
In 2005, Wayne and Karen retired to Pine Mountain Lake in Groveland, California where they developed a fantastic community of friends. While there, Karen volunteered with many organizations and developed a deep sense of gratitude for the life she and Wayne had built together.
One of the most beautiful legacies that Karen has left behind for her family is a genuine love for one another. Her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family truly enjoy time spent together and that is due to the love, kindness, strength and beauty of our Mimi.
Karen was cherished deeply by her husband Wayne Handley, daughters Jayne Lord (Mark), Kim Feldhaus (Dan), Grandchildren Alison O'Halloran (Tim), Hayden Lord (Kory), Austin Lord, Brennen Handley, Josh Feldhaus, Nate Feldhaus, and great grandchildren, Sawyer O'Halloran, and Hadley O'Halloran as well as her sister, Jean Metz and many nieces and nephews. Karen is preceded in death by her parents Larry and Alice Struve, her brother Jon Struve and her son Ryan Handley.
A celebration of Karen's life will be held on January 18, 2025 at 11:00 at Struve and Laporte Funeral Home, 41 W San Luis St, Salinas, CA with a reception following at the Corral de Tierra Country Club, 81 Corral De Tierra Rd, Corral De Tierra, CA. 93908.
Funeral Arrangements by Struve and Laporte Funeral Home.
Online condolences to www.struveandlaporte.com
Published in King City Rustler and Salinas Valley Tribune · January 7, 2025