RADKE, Orville

RADKE, MILLER, WINTERHOF, HUSEMAN, TABER, EINSPAHR, BRADLEY, HAUSMAN

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 7/2/2007 at 11:24:46

Orville Radke, 94, of Alta passed away on Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center at Storm Lake, Iowa.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. today at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Alta, with Pastor Craig Cummins officiating. Burial will be in Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery, Storm Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of Barker Funeral Home of Alta.

Orville William Martin Radke was born on Nov. 29, 1912, in Cherokee County to Fred and Louise (Miller) Radke. Orville’s mother passed away when he was six years old. His father then married Marie Winterhof, whom Orville was very thankful for, and always affectionately referred to her as "Mother Radke." He was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. He attended St. John’s Lutheran school and church in Hanover, Iowa.

Orville began picking corn by hand at age 11. He later took great pride in the fact that he could pick 130 bushels a day. At a young age, he often competed in many corn picking contests. He also earned many state and national trophies in his retired years.

Orville was united in marriage to Lola Huseman on Feb. 4, 1940, at St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover. They farmed in the Hanover area for many years until retiring in 1981, when they moved to Alta. Orville and Lola were married 67 years.

He was chairman of the St. John Lutheran Church in Hanover for 17 years, a member of the board of directors of the Alta Coop Elevator for 12 years, and was elected to the County Board of Supervisors for 12 years. After retirement, he enjoyed playing golf and a good game of cards. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Orville had a strong work ethic, was a devout Christian, and a true American.

Orville is survived by his wife, Lola of Alta; a daughter, Kathy Taber and Max of Alta; four sons, Myron and Sue of Aurelia, Iowa, Roger and Lynn of LeMars, Iowa, Russell and Cyndie of Kansas City, Mo., and James and Lori of Storm Lake; two sisters, Esther Einspahr of Chico, Calif. and Darlene and Harry of Lake Forest, Calif.; four brothers, Merle and Ruth of Chicago, Ill., Wayne and Margaret of Alta, Donald and Darlene of Cherokee, Iowa and Leland and Joan of Alta; a sister-in-law, Vera Bradley of Albert City; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Erwin, Harold and Darrell; three sisters-in-law, Alice Radke, Iona Hausman and Peg Huseman; four brothers-in-law, Martin Einspahr, Darrell Huseman, Merle Huseman and Forrest Hausman; and a daughter-in-law, Jane Radke.