Clelia Handeland

Funeral services will be at 12 noon on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sartell, MN for Clelia Handeland, age 91 of Sartell.  She passed away at her home in the arms of her children.  Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Parish Cemetery.  Reverend Timothy Baltes will be the celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church.

Clelia was born on March 2, 1926 in Sala di Caseta, Italy, the daughter of Marco and Maria (Sirignano) Foncellino. She came to the United States in 1947 and married Clayton E. Handeland on July 12, 1947 in Sartell, MN. She lived all her married life in Sartell.  She was a day care provider in Sartell for over 20 years. 

She enjoyed the many special times with her family, gardening, cooking, cleaning, traveling with friends, and feeding any one that walked in the house.  Clelia had a special bond with children and grandchildren.  Every morning she religiously said her many daily prayers.  She was a member of St. Monica’s Christian Women and St. Francis Xavier Parish in Sartell.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Clayton in 1994, her son Thomas in 1958, one sister Annacia and one brother Marco.

She is survived by; one daughter, Mary (Ken) Dirkes of Sauk Rapids, MN; three sons, Richard (Ruth) Handeland of Dallas, WI, Donald (Mary) Handeland of Cushing, MN, and David (Karen) Handeland of Sauk Rapids, MN; 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, relatives in both Italy and the United States, and many friends.