Herman Antonius Handstede, 80, passed away on January 26, 2024, at his home due to cancer.  Vigil will be held for Herman on Monday, February 12, 2024, at 6:30 pm and funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 1:00 pm, both being held at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.  Herman's family has suggested memorial donations be made in his memory to St. Jude School Trust Fund, Eagle Creek Ski Patrol, Gr. Falls Benefis- Gift of Life Housing, or the charity of one's choosing.  Holland & Bonine Funeral home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Herman was born January 8, 1944 in Zwolle, Overijissel, Netherlands to Adriaan and Joanna (Sleegers) Handstede.  In 1953 the family moved from war-torn Netherlands to Saskatchewan, Canada.  He attended school in Swift Current, Saskatchewan and graduated from S.C.C.I in 1962.  After High School he worked for the Provincial Government, then entered the field of Natural Gas and Oil.  His journey continued in Brooks, Alberta where a highlight was logging off a Canadian East Coast drilling platform.  He was transferred to Havre, Montana as location manager in 1975 with an International Wireline Company, later starting an American Wireline business (Prairie Wireline) with a partner, working out of Havre.  He owned a private consulting company (H.H. Services) working for several Oil and Gas Companies.  Before retirement he was an employee of Devon Energy, Havre.

In 1965 he married Judy Hinds at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Swift Current.  Three daughters were born to this union, Riki-Lynn, Paula and Jo-Ann.  Herman enjoyed every minute spent with his family and he enjoyed the jobs he had providing for his family and being part of the community.  He was encouraging to his children/grandchildren and supported the many activities each did.  His religion held a high priority in his life.

He was a member of St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, served on the St. Jude Thaddeus School Trust Board, St. Jude Thaddeus Youth Group Leader and St. Jude Thaddeus Finance Advisory Board.  Herman taught regular/advanced first aid, C.P.R. and AED classes in the Havre Community for many years.  Herman was certified as an EMT.   He was a volunteer driver for the Veterans to Helena, volunteer at the Sr. Center of the Hi-line, volunteer at Northern Montana Hospital and a blood donor.  Herman, served for many years as a representative of Eagle Creek Ski Patrol for the Northern Division National Ski Patrol.  He was the Northern Division National Patroller of the Year 2002-2003.  Herman was a certified Instructor for National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care for 37 years for Eagle Creek Ski Patrol.  Many happy memorable occasions were made on the local ski hill and throughout the N. Division with ski colleges.  He was inducted into the Rebel Patrol and the Famous Hermie/Herminator burgers were named after him.  Herman received life-saving awards from Veterans Affairs and the National Ski Patrol. Several helicopter ski trips and several yearly trips with the "Over the Hill Gang" added much enjoyment.  In 2023 he was awarded a 40 Yr. Pin from the National Ski Patrol.  Following many younger years of boating and waterskiing with his family, Herman took up the recreation of camping and fly fishing.  Family members and friends learned to water ski behind the Handstede boat and learned to hit the ski slopes under Herman's influence and direction.Herman was preceded in death by his parents Adriaan and Joanna; a niece; 2 nephews; 2 sisters-in-law; and 2 brothers-in-law.

Herman is survived by his wife Judy of Havre; his daughters, Riki-Lynn (Joe) Ross of Havre, Paula Handstede (Craig Korb) of Havre, and Jo-Ann (Joe) Henry of Maple Valley, WA; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; Canadian sisters, Marjan (Dave) Perry, Jeannette (Art) Helfrich, and Michele Handstede; sisters-in-law, Terry Lee (Ron) Brawn and Merylin (Gilbert) Davies; and numerous nieces and nephews.