Edgar Wilhelm Radke

Edgar W. Radke, 87, Alta, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at a hospital in Charlotte, N.C. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 at 9 a.m. at the St. John Lutheran Church of Alta. Burial will be at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery of Alta with military rites by the Dibbern Post 454 American Legion of Galva. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta is in charge of the arrangements.

Edgar W. Radke was born on Sept. 17, 1922 in Cherokee County near Alta, to William and Lena (Hustedt) Radke. He was baptized on Sept. 22, 1922 at St. John Lutheran Church of Alta and confirmed on May 31, 1936. Edgar attended elementary school at St. John Lutheran School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1942 to 1946. After serving in the Navy, he attended Western Union College (now Westmar) in LeMars. After graduation he started farming.

Edgar married Lavonne Weidauer on Nov. 15, 1947 at Calvary United Brethren Church in LeMars. The couple farmed two family farms between Galva and Hanover and they retired from farming in1984 and moved into Alta in 1989. They spent their winters in Arizona from 1976 until they moved to Wel-Life in 2007. He enjoyed playing golf, fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed spending time with children and grandchildren, playing cards and traveling. He was a member of Galva American Legion Dibbern Post #454. Edgar was an active member and served on various committees at St. John Lutheran Church of Alta.

Survivors include his sons, Keith (Sandy) of Racine, WI, Lowell (Linda) of Chandler, AZ, and Craig (Amy) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Scott, Brent, Tana, Kelsey, Gradey, Daniel, Emma, Luci and Samuel Radke; a brother, Marvin (Dorothy) Radke; sisters-in-law, Ruth Radke and Marcella Radke; and a special nephew, Dean (Diane) Radke and their sons Darin (Beth) and Derek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lavonne; brothers, Arthur Radke and Harry Radke; sisters, Verna (Walter) Sump and Lorene (Louis) Schuelke.