Lissa Handyside

Lissa Handyside, age 72, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Wednesday, April 6th, at her home surrounded by family. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 13th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fosston with Father JohnMelkies Suvakeen presiding. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery Hansville at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Tuesday, April 12th, and for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. All visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Lissa Lieffring was born to Madeleine (DePreter) and Galen Lieffring in Minneapolis, MN, February 25, 1950. She was the first of four children having three younger brothers. She grew up in Durand, WI, attending Stout University in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Lissa was united in marriage to Lonny Burrack, August,1969. They briefly moved to New Port, CA, where their first son, Wade was born. She then returned to WI where her next two children, Stacy and Craig were born.

The family moved to the Fosston area in 1974. Where she later met and was united in marriage to Larry Handyside, January, 1980. To this union they had two children, Terah and Joshua. They lived and raised all five children in the Fosston area.

Lissa worked at the Fosston Hospital as a nursing assistant and Fosston School district while obtaining her nursing degree through Bemidji, MN. Lissa then worked for Fosston Hospital several more years, until she took a full-time job as the school nurse in Fosston until she retired after nearly 25 years in 2015.

Lissa enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and other sorts of crafts. She made many of the hats, mittens, sweaters, and blankets that her children and grandchildren wear and cuddle with to this day. On any given Sunday during football season you would find her cheering for her favorite team, the Green Bay Packers, even though her favorite color was purple.

Most of all, Lissa loved spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. The kids loved going to grandma’s house as she always made sure they had plenty to eat. She spent time baking and decorating cookies with them, doing inside and outside activities on the farm, and loved hosting the family during the holidays. Especially Christmas with annual sledding and snowmobiling on the hill behind the house. She cared deeply for all, everyone always knew you were loved by mom/grandma.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Handyside of Fosston, MN. Her five children; Wade (Laurie) Burrack of Gully, MN, Stacy (Kyle) Niemi of Omaha, NE, Craig (Jenny) Burrack of Mahnomen, MN, Terah (Ryan) Glas of Pillager, MN, and Joshua (Sara) Handyside of Fosston, MN. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren;  Will, Isaac and Ford Burrack, Tyler Blaser, Jacob and Colton Niemi, Jessi, Henry, Dusty and Calli Burrack, Wyatt, Rya and Kaylie Glas, Madeleine and Lily Handyside. She is also survived by her 3 brothers (Peter, Joe and Jim Lieffring), many nieces, nephews and friends whom she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents Galen and Madeleine Lieffring, aunts and uncles.

Lissa is loved dearly and will be missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory.