Arthur W. Radtke Sr., 89 of Eau Claire passed away Saturday, April 2, 2016 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.
Arthur was born on September 13, 1926 to Frank and Jeanette (Johnson) Radke at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. After attending Eau Claire Senior High School, he joined the U.S. Navy and served from 1944 to 1946 in WWII. He married the love of his life, Delhia Kumferman on September 4, 1948 in Minneapolis, MN. Arthur worked at Gould National Batteries in Eau Claire for 15 years and retired from Uniroyal in 1988 after 20 years of work. He was a lifelong resident of Eau Claire until moving to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls in January 2015. Arthur enjoyed caring for his lawn and repairing small engines including lawn mowers and outboard motors. Arthur also enjoyed fishing and driving on day trips to Minneapolis and traveling out west. Arthur was an avid Packer, Brewer, and Badger fan.
Arthur is survived by his five children, Gene (Arlene) Radtke, Brenda Steinke, Theresa (Ron) Erickson, and Arthur Radtke Jr. all of Eau Claire, and Rodney Radtke of Mariposa, CA, WI;6 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jenni (Edgar) Bernal and children, Ana, Jordan, and Aylenia, Angie (George) Clausen and daughter, Brea, Ryan Erickson and children, Shaina and Levi, and his fiancé, Kristel Flick and her daughter Valeri, all of Eau Claire, Dan (Shelba) Steinke and children, Justice, Bella, and Dani and step-children Kyrie, Jessie, and Heather of Moorhead, MN, and Jessica (Andrew) Pagel and sons, Robert and Samuel of DePere, WI, and Andrea Radtke (Matthew Brandt) of Bowie, MD.
Arthur was preceded in death by his wife, Delhia Radtke; his parents; sisters, Marion Erickson and Annabelle Botner; brothers, Harold Radke, Robert Radke, and Donald Radke; step-sisters, Eva Walker, Minnie Iverson, and Grace Schmaltz; and step-brothers, Ewald Radke and Frank Radke.
The family would like to give a special thank you for the extraordinary care provided by the staffs of the Wisconsin Veterans Home of Chippewa Falls and Sacred Heart Hospital. The family would also like to express a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Anton Kidess for his compassionate care of both Arthur and Delhia throughout the years.
Funeral services will be Friday, April 8, 2016 at 11:30 am at Smith Funeral Chapel with Pastor Gail George officiating. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of service at the funeral home on Friday. Burial will follow the service at Rest Haven Cemetery with VFW Post 305 performing military honors.
I will miss my Uncle Art. My Sister Ellen Heiman and I though the world of Him.
Dear Radtke Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time of sorrow. Your father and mother always welcomed me so openly every time I would spend time at your home with Brenda. I’m sure I echo many others when I say they were a lovely couple who raised a wonderful family.
Cori
Dear Family, I am a CNA at The Wisconsin Veterans Home of Chippewa Falls. We will sadly miss your Dad and Grandpa. He was truly a gentleman. I respected him so much. Very caring man. So appreciative, always so thankful. Sometimes saying Thank You mam or Thank You Mrs. Paulson. Always polite. I will miss him. My heart goes out to yous. Deepest Sympathy; Sue Paulson
Radtke family,
I want to express my sincere condolences on the passing of your father. I got to know him at the Veterans Home where he shared his dining table with my father, Ray Boos. My father passed away in early February and the next few times I visited Art, he always expressed his sympathy to my mom and me and how much he like my father. He was always pleasant to visit with and I enjoyed playing Bingo with him. I know you’ll miss him, as I do my father. We are losing “the Greatest Generation” one-by-one. Wishing you all the best.