Alice Handel

Alice C. Van Handel, 94, of Donaldson, IN and formerly of Lafayette, died at Catherine Kasper Life Center in Donaldson, IN 8:35 PM Tuesday February 3, 2015. She was born in Madison, WI October 22, 1920, the daughter of the late William M. and Clara T. Breitenbach Hogan and was a graduate of Madison High School and attended the University of Wisconsin. Alice married Ralph A. Van Handel in Madison WI in 1945 and he preceded her in death November 27, 2002. She and her husband moved to Gary, IN in 1954, and also resided in Merrillville, IN before moving to Lafayette in 1974, where they resided until Alice moved to Donaldson in 2009. Alice was a member of St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette; the St. Mary Altar and Rosary Society; a former member of St. Elizabeth and Home Hospital Auxiliaries and a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Mrs. Van Handel was a Girl Scout leader and served on the Diocesan and council boards and volunteered at the Catholic Charities Garage Sale. She was one of the first in the Gary Girl Scout Council to receive the St. Anne Award from Bishop Andrew G. Grutka. Surviving are two daughters, Karen Naminski (husband Tom) of Valparaiso, IN and Mary Jo Craig (husband Terrence) of Plymouth, IN; a son, William P. Van Handel (wife Becky) of Greenwood, IN along with four grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The Rosary will be recited at 2:45 PM Tuesday February 10, followed by visitation from 3 until 5 PM at the Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette, IN. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary Cathedral at 11:00 AM Wednesday February 11, with interment to follow at St. Mary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Poor Handmaidens of Jesus Christ (PHJC) for Assisted Living, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN. 46513. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.