Elaine was born on October 9, 1939, in Bridgeport, NE, to Lyle and Esther (Graham) Bateman. She graduated from Bridgeport High School and went on to further her education at Chadron State College. In 1960 she married Don Handley and had three children: Leslie, Deanna and Denise. She later married Hardy Huggler in Cheyenne,Wyoming, and made their home in Alliance, Nebraska, various places in Colorado, and then later in Bayard and finally in Bridgeport.

Elaine was a motel manager/ operator in Fort Collins, CO and Elk City, OK, a secretary at Burlington Northern Railroad in Alliance, NE, and a Real Estate Agent in the

Nebraska and Colorado areas.

Elaine enjoyed raising and showing Quarter horses, was a member of the AQHA, and was in many horse clubs. She was a member of the Weld County Sheriff’s Posse. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a member of the First Baptist Church in Bridgeport.

She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved seeing and hearing about their activities. She also enjoyed doing puzzles, playing cards and spending time with her friends at Prairie Winds Community Center. In past years she enjoyed bowling, sewing, square dancing, and going to thrift shops and garage sales.

Survivors include her children: Les (Nancy) Handley of Sac City, IA, Deanna Bishop (fiancé, Dale Gavitt) of Denver, CO, and Denise (Kerry) Walker of Bayard, NE; step-children: Sheldon (Jodi) Huggler of Roseville, MI, Chris (Tammy) Huggler of Conway, MO, and Kate Zavala of Scottsbluff, NE; grandchildren Craig Huggler, Derek Tippit, Jordan Huggler, Austin (Danielle Rose ) Huggler, Aaron (Kaitlyn) Huggler,Whitney (Armando) Zavala, Felicity (Will) Zavala, Marco (Vanessa) Zavala Jr, Jilyanna Zavala, Alejandra Zavala, Jordan (Nick) Nelson, Amanda (Matt) Drost, Kody Walker, Jamie (Chris) Walker, Justin Bishop, Ryan (Melinda) Bishop; 20 great-grandchildren; sister Eileen (Charlie) Hickie, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elaine was preceded in death by her husbands Hardy Huggler and Don Handley; her parents Lyle and Esther Bateman; parents-in-law Chris and Edith Huggler, and Ross and Gladys Handley.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the family may be shared on Elaine’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome. com.