Cary Hande, 70, of Bowman, ND, passed away on January 10, 2022 in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Memorial Services for Cary will be on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Bowman Lutheran Church in Bowman.  Pastor Renee Johnson will officiate.  There will be a Family and Friends Service on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at the Bowman Lutheran Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.

FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE LIVE-STREAMED ON THE BOWMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Cary Reed Hande, 70, of Bowman, ND, formerly of Amidon, ND, passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Lutheran Hospital in Wheat R idge, Colorado , after having spen t Christmas with his family there.

Cary Reed Hande, the second son of Norman (B ud) and Mae Ione (Willis) Hande , was born May 24, 1951 in the Bowman hospital.  He joined his brother Dale who was nearly 4 years older than him.  Their family lived in Rhame, ND where Bud was a rurual mail carrier.  Mae Ione said there was usually a horse tied to her clothesline and a pa ck of kids in their yard.

Cary att ended Rhame School for 12 years , graduating in 1969.  He attended First Lutheran Church at Rhame where he was baptized and confirmed. Cary played basketball as a Rhame Pirate and played a trumpet in band.  Cary has always had the gift of music, self-taught to play guitar, c h ord on the piano and a pretty good " Turkey in the Straw" on his harmonica.

He competed in high school rodeo, by far, his favorite sport.  He rode saddle bronc and calf roped when he could borrow a horse. He qualified for the National High School Rodeo in Houston, Texas when he was a senior.

Cary spe nt summers working on his u ncle's ranch and riding outside horses for people. After graduation, he joined a custom combine crew and went south.  His mother called him to tell him she had enrolled him at D ickinson S tate U niversity for the next quarter, so he came home. He was at DSU 2&1/2 years before he transferred to Wahpeton State School of Science where he earned a degree in Architectural Estimating and Drafting.  He has drawn plans for several houses and barns in our area , including our log home.

Cary college rodeoed those years and loved every minute of it.  After coll ege , he worked in Belle Fourche, SD for a year at a building center before mo ving home to work at the Fossum Ranch.

Cary & Margie (Juntunen) were married July, 26, 1975 in Bowman. They spent 2 years at Fossums before they moved to the Triple J Ranch, Amidon, ND to work in the Juntunen partnership.  Heidi Hande was born in 1979.  That was one of the best days in Cary's life.

In 1980, Cary and Margie bought the John Gerbig ranch and moved to the river ranch.  In 1981 , Travis Hande was born and what a proud time that was for Cary. Cary and his family spent many happy years working hard but loving their life.  Cary was proud of his red angus cattle, but they were never quite good enough to suit him.  He owned a lot of good horses and dogs and appreciated them all.  He taught his kids to ride and take care of animals while also cheering them on in school and extracurricular activities .  Cary had the help of many good hired hands over the years.  He always said he could not have done it without them and they remain good friends to this day.

The last day of July of 1996, Cary was badly hurt in a team roping accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury. He spent 4 months in a Bismarck hospital and rehab.  It was a difficult time for him and his family ; b ut , he taught us all a lot .  W e just loved him even more. A fan of all the local sports and athletes, he would go far and wide to watch a rodeo or basketball game, and enjoy a good cup of coffee and slice of pie. He was a good friend to people of all ages. C ary & Margie continued to live and work at the X 4 R anch until t hey retired to Bowman in 2016, leasing the ranch to Tellan & Kayla Steffan .  Hardest day of his life, but eyes…ever forward.

Cary served on a number of boards over the years. He was a director on the Medora Grazing Board, The North Dakota Stockmen's board, the State Brand Board , and served as a local brand inspector for 35 years.  He was proud to receive the H onorary State Brand Inspectors award in 2020.  He was a "Friend of Slope Co unty 4-H" in 2020.  Other awards over the years included the NDSA Rancher of the Year and the NDSA Environmental Stewardship award.  Cary took his turn on the Lebanon Lutheran church board, serving as president for a time.  Cary has served on the Bowman Grain, Inc board of directors until his death.  His life was full.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Margie, Bowman, daughter, Heidi (James) Weatherly, their children, Ansel, Stella & Bridger Weatherly, Golden , Colorado, Son, Travis Hande (Jamie) their daughter, Jorja Hande, Glen Ullin , ND , b rother Dale ( Redgie ) Hande, Rhame, ND and their children Casey Hande & Kadee Hande , and many friends and family who meant the world to him.  Thank you all for being part of his life.

Suggestions for memorial gifts are Lebanon Lutheran, Amidon and the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, Medora , or any charity of your choice.