Marcia R. Handsaker, age 79, of Nevada, Iowa, died at her home on Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00a.m., Friday, June 11, 2021 at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada, Iowa 701 11th Street, Nevada, Iowa with burial at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery, in Nevada.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may directed to Memorial Lutheran Church, 701 11th Street, Nevada, IA 50201 or the Nevada Public Library, 631 K. Ave. Nevada, IA 50201. Condolences may be expressed online at www.amesmonument.com.


Marcia (Hilburn) Handsaker, 79, of Nevada, Iowa, died at her home on June 6, 2021. Marcia was born June 4 1942, to Howard and Velma (Pitcher) Hillburn in Nevada. She was a member of Chariton High School Class of 1960, then attended Simpson College for two years. She married Robert Dean Handsaker on August 26, 1962, and later completed her education at Drake University. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, with a major in art, in June of 1965.

Marcia taught at Ballard Community School and was the elementary librarian at Colo Community School for two-and-a-half years. She also worked as a substitute teacher in the Nevada School district. Later on in life, she worked as a salesperson at Redeker Furniture.

She and Dean raised three sons who attended the Nevada Schools: Paul, who was born June 11,1963; Mark, who was born April 7, 1967; and Dave, who was born May 7, 1969.

Her interests included being active in her church and serving as Sunday School Superintendent. She also sang in the church choir. She was chairperson of the food tent at the 1980 Farm Progress Show when it came to Nevada. She served two terms as Friends of the Library board member and was a longtime member of the Story County Medical Center Foundation. She took great pride in helping with the Foundation's fundraising campaigns to build the hospital's new south campus and work on the south campus addition in 2015-16.

Quilting was another of her passions. Marcia made many quilts, some receiving statewide recognition. She regularly exhibited her quilts at the Iowa State Fair, many times receiving ribbons. She also enjoyed making quilts to give to others. She belonged to several quilt organizations, including the Iowa Quilters Guild, International Quilt Association, and American Quilters Association. Locally, she belonged to Persian Pickle Quilters, S and B quilters, and Just Friends Quilters.

Marcia always cared for others. She showered her attention on her eight grandchildren, who were a huge priority for her and Dean. She loved caring for the little ones and supporting the other grandchildren in their endeavors.

She also became very involved at Story Senior Care in Nevada when her mother, Velma, was a resident of the facility. Marcia had firsthand knowledge of the care and commitment of the staff of Story Center Care had for their patients.

Survivors include her three sons and their wives: Paul and Dianne Handsaker of Pearl City, IL, Mark and Mary Handsaker of Nevada, IA, and Dave and Jennifer Handsaker of Winterset, IA.; eight grandchildren: Garrett, Cheyenne, Paige, Cash, Sydney, Danielle Cunningham, Layla and Cooper; her two great-grandsons, Parker and Max; one niece, Ryan (Beaman) Black; and three nephews, Gary, Rob, and Craig Handsaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Dean in 2017; and two sisters, Miriam Beaman and Mary Anne Hillburn.