Lawrence F. “Waspy” Handlos, age 86, of Audubon, died Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Friendship Home in Audubon.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey. The celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Mary’s Choir. Gift Bearers will be Brian Handlos, Beth Handlos Wahlert, Kurt Handlos, and Cory Handlos. Lector will be Daryl Quandt. Eucharistic Minister will be Jan Handlos. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Gary Handlos, Dan Handlos, Gary Wegner, Alan Smalley, Steve May, Larry Nielsen, Paul Madsen, Dave Madsen, Lyle Hansen, and Dave Robinson. Casket Bearers will be Jacob Best, Tim Wahlert, Skyler Handlos, Chris Schultes, Keith Schultes, and Mike Anthofer. Burial will be at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to the St. Mary’s Parish Hall on Tuesday morning where visitation will resume from 9:30-10:15 a.m. Memorials may be directed to the Audubon Friendship Home.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Waspy’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Lawrence “Waspy”, the son of John and Rosina (Mayer) Handlos was born on October 14, 1936, in Carroll County, Iowa. He grew up near Willey and attended elementary school at St. Mary’s and high school in Glidden. After his education he worked on the family farm at Willey. From 1957-1959 he enlisted in the United States Army serving most of his time at Ft. Bliss, Texas. During enlistment, Lawrence was awarded the Rifleman Marksman Badge which he was very proud of. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to the area where he continued to assist on the family farm and work at Quandt Auto Salvage.
On September 9, 1961, Lawrence was united in marriage to Doris Quandt at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Willey. The loving couple would have been married 62 years. Lawrence and Doris made their home in Carroll, and purchased Handlos Tavern. In June of 1966 the couple moved to Audubon County and began Handlos Family Farms where they were engaged in grain and livestock farming. Later, Lawrence enjoyed farming with his sons, grandsons, and great-nephew. In addition to farming Waspy was active with the Audubon County Pork Producers, and other business endeavors. In 2017, Lawrence & Doris developed Waspy’s Truck Stop in Templeton and one year later they opened Waspy’s Truck Stop on the 16 acre complex in Audubon (which also includes The Feed Mill Restaurant, Blue Grass Inn & Suites, Waspy’s Tire & Service Center, Waspy’s Truck Wash, Audubon Diesel and Waspy’s Two Palms Grilling and Catering).
Lawrence enjoyed spending time with his wife, Doris, children, and grandchildren and they enjoyed their winters at their condo in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. He also enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards with friends, driving around in his pick-up through town or checking out crops. Lawrence also enjoyed time in one of his John Deere tractors whenever he got the chance. Lawrence loved anything Doris cooked, especially Doris’ German bread dumplings & gravy and her liver dumplings (both a family favorite).
Lawrence is survived by his wife Doris of Audubon; children: Brian (Patricia) Handlos of Audubon, Beth (Tim) Handlos Wahlert of Audubon, Kurt Handlos of Des Moines, Cory (Missy) Handlos of Carroll; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Jolene Handlos of Carroll, Doreen (Michael) Bremmer of Oregon, Diane (Gene) Heithoff of Carroll, David (Debera) Quandt of Carroll, and Daryl (Kris) Quandt of Willey, as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives and friends.
Lawrence was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Kim Marie Handlos in 2010; siblings: Jack Handlos, Joe (Mary Ann) Handlos, Paul Handlos, Rose (Bill) Schultes, Florence Onken; parents-in-law: Harold and Pearl Quandt, and a brother-in-law: Dwain Quandt.
