March 28, 2024

Ruth Radke

Ruth Radke, 95, of Alta passed away on Monday, July 14, 2014, at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center of Cherokee.

A funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 19, at the St. John Lutheran Church of rural Alta (Hanover) with the Rev. John H. Schmidt officiating. Burial will be at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery of rural Alta (Hanover). A visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta. The Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Agnes Kristina Radke, daughter of Gustav and Louise Johnson, was born July 14, 1919, on a farm south of Alta, Iowa. She was called to her heavenly home on July 14, 2014, at the age of 95. She was baptized in the name of the Triune God, on Aug. 17, 1919, by Pastor N.J. Lundahl. She was confirmed February 18, 1934 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta by Pastor R.S. Nestander. She attended school in Alta and graduated in 1937. In 1939, she graduated from Buena Vista University and taught school at Maple Valley No. 8 for a couple of years, and after she was married, she taught Parochial School at St. John in Hanover.   On Sept. 6, 1942, Ruth married Arthur Radke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alta, Iowa, by Pastor Philip Holmberg. They were blessed with two children, Dean and Dianne. They spent their married years farming. She enjoyed working with the children at church and was involved with the Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Week Day School, and was in charge of the children’s Christmas programs. Ruth was also active in church activities of St. John Lutheran Church. She was a member of L.W.M.L. and held various offices. She also worked with the World Relief sewing group at church. She held a number of offices in the Zone Women’s Lutheran Missionary League and was “Mrs. Rogers” in the Christian Growth skits. She was co-founder of the annual German Feast Supper and a longtime member of the choir. Ruth served on several community committees, as well as, chairman of the Ladies Day at the Buena Vista Fair for a number of years, leader for the Maple Valley 4-H Club for many years, and also held offices on the extension committees. Ruth belonged to the “neighborhood birthday club” and the “Just for fun” club. She enjoyed doing crafts, painting, puzzles, and was an avid collector of lighted houses, plates and Boyd Bears. She enjoyed the farm and her flowers. She also enjoyed traveling in her younger years.  Her fondest memory was her trip to Sweden visiting relatives. She treasured being with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and special friends, Kurt, Leah and Hanna Jo Edwards, Diane Edwards, Sally Kuhrts, Verona Koth and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arthur; sister and brother-in-law, Ethel and Albert Mattson; brothers-in-law, Marvin and Harry Radke; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Verna and Walter Sump, Lavonne and Edgar Radke and Lorene and Louis Schuelke; and nephew, Michael Schuelke.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Dean and wife Diane of Alta, Iowa, Dianne and husband, Roger Breckenridge of Newton, Iowa; her grandchildren, Melanie Hamilton and husband Leslie True of Newton, Iowa, Matthew Vander Werff and fiancée Ashley Abess of Miami, Fla., Darin and wife Beth Radke of Waconia, Minn., and Derek and wife Amy Radke of Sioux Falls, S.D.; great-granddaughters, Annika Ruth and Mia Elizabeth Radke; and one soon-to-be great-grandson; sister, Dorothy Radke; sister-in-law, Marcella Radke of Storm Lake, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Ruth was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, always willing to help and will always be remembered for her kindness and help when needed.

Online condolences can be made at nicklasdjensenfh.com.