Janet L. “Jan” (Maasdam) Handley, 77, of Ankeny, began her eternal life with her heavenly family on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, at Garden Chapel Funeral Home in Pella, with visitation beginning two hours prior to the service. Memorials may be given to one of the following: Joshua Christian Academy of Des Moines, Ankeny Christian Academy, or Peoria Christian School.
She was born Mar. 27, 1942, to parents Fred and Wilma (Van Wyk) Maasdam of Lynnville. She lived all of her childhood years in the Lynnville-Sully area, attending a one-room school until 1952, along with many cousins. In 1961, after attending Central College for one year, she married Chet Handley, who is the father of her two children, Brad and Sharla. After this marriage dissolved, God called her to an almost 40-year career selling inspirational literature primarily through Successful Living in truck stops, grocery stores, and restaurants. This ministry was started with a $25 tithe from an income tax refund.
Her relationship with Jesus was the rock of her life during many hard financial years, and also when times were easier. Jesus is a real entity and can be trusted to lead each of us, if we but let Him.
Left to enjoy the memories she shared with them are her son Brad (Paula) Handley of Ann Arbor, MI, and her daughter Sharla (Randy) Ryals of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; three grandchildren; and her brother Harlan (Carleen) Maasdam of Lynnville; and many nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives and friends of the heart throughout the United States.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
