George Radakovich

RADAKOVICH, SAWHILL, MATLAND, DAVIS, BREEN, MCKINELEY

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 5/7/2006 at 15:07:47

Des Moines Register
May 5, 2006

George Radakovich, Winterset

George Radakovich, 88, died at Hospice Kavangh House on 56th St. in Des Moines on Wednesday May 3, 2006. Funeral services will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2006 at the Earlham Presbyterian Church with burial in the Earlham Cemetery.

George was a life long respected farmer and prominent cattle breeder in the Earlham area. George was preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen of 53 years. Survivors include his wife, Jessie Radakovich of Winterset; daughter Shirley Matland and husband, Richard of Glenwood ; a son Steve Radakovich and wife Penny of Earlham; sister, Dorothy Davis of San Jose, CA; brother, Nick Radakovich of Indianola; sister, Anna Breen of Cottage Grove, Il.; seven grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; step-daughter, Mary Eyleen McKineley of Winterset and step-son, John Sawhill and wife, Karen of Lorimor.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2006 at the First United Presbhyterian Church in Winterset. Memorials may be directed to the Earlham School Garden Courtyard Fund.

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Earlham Advocate
Earlham, Iowa
May 11, 2006
Page 2

Funeral services were held for George Radakovich on Sunday, May 7, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church. Officiants were Jan Fletcher and Rev. James Howland.

Speakers were Glen Klippenstein and Tim Breon. Debbie Jones was the organist/pianist. Kathy Hopkins sang “Whispering Hope” and “In The Sweet Bye and Bye”. Congregational hymn was “In The Garden”.

Pallbearers were Phil Reeser, Jim Gibb, Jim Stotts, Jim Bradford, Larry Ory, and Mike Wells. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Hallberg, Rich Benson, Ira Jones, Dave Nichols, Jim Ross, Paul Marston, Dennis Fenewald, Dale Foster, Tommy Ghrist, Nick Radakovich, Howard Benz, John Martin, Howard Hoy. 1935 Undefeated and Unscored on Teammates Beryl Kenworthy, Carl Gilman, and Richard Frey; Australian Friends John Yelland, Don Lawson, and Alf Collins.

George was born May 1, 1918 on a farm south of Earlham, Iowa to Pera “Pauline” (Riberich) and Trivun “Mike” Radakovich, who had immigrated to the United States from Servia in 1906. George was one of thirteen children, in addition to a half sister in Wyoming and two half brothers in Serbia. George attended school in Earlham and graduated from Earlham High School in 1936.

George excelled in athletics throughout high school especially in track, participating in the Drake Relays, and even more so in football being a major contributor to the 1935 undefeated and unscored on team. After graduation, George worked on a fruit ranch in California. On completion of the harvest George returned home “Hopping railroad boxcars”, a common mode of transportation in the depression era. George tried factory employment in Chicago which solidified his passion for farming and self-employment.

Gretchen danced her way into George’s life as they swept each other off their feet on their first date at the White Elephant Dance Hall in downtown Adel in 1939. Two years and several dances later, they began 53 plus years of an unwavering bond. In 1944, their son, Steven, was born. Three months later, George and Gretchen’s character and unselfishness was rewarded by the wish of Gretchen’s dear dying friend to raise her daughter Shirley. In 1956, after 15 years of hard work, sacrifice and committed savings, George and Gretchen purchased their farm. The farm provided the opportunity for George and Steve to create a life long business partnership(Radakovich Cattle Company) leading to the development of an internationally respected cattle breeding enterprise.

George having been galvanized by the Great Depression had a strong sense of self-reliance. George had a working knowledge of electricity, plumbing, welding, mechanics, carpentry, crop production, and livestock husbandry. George fixed everything for everyone in the neighborhood.

George is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife Gretchen; his five brothers, Milosh “Mike” Radakovich, Fred Radakovich, three infant brothers, Jovo “Joe”, Stevo “Steve” and Marko “Mark” Radakovich; four sisters, Mildred (Radakovich) Johnson, Mary (Radakovich) Benz, Sophie (Radakovich) Dragovich Ross, Helen (Radakovich) Riser; two half brothers in Servia; and a half sister, Boja “Bessie” (Radakovich) Galovich.

George is survived by his wife Jessie Sawhill Bond Radakovich; his brother Nick Radakovich of Indianola; two sisters, Dorothy Davis of San Jose, CA, and Anna Breen of Cottage Grove, OR. He is also survived by his daughter Shirley and husband Richard Matland of Glenwood, his son Steve and wife Penny Radakovich of Earlham, IA. George has seven grandchildren: Lori and husband Scott Kruse, WA, Jeff Matland and wife Carole, WA, Chuck and wife Jan of Nebraska, Wendy (Radakovich) and husband Wade, Erie, CO, Tracy (Radakovich and husband Les Fuller, Pella , Bobby Radakovich, Denver, CO, JD Radakovich and wife Elizabeth, Midas, NV, and eleven great grandchildren.

George and Gretchen’s warm hospitality and gracious open house policy will always be remembered by family and friends, interns, and business guests, from around the country and the world. George’s sense of humor and love of family and friends will be only a few of the wonderful memories held by all who knew him.

Interment was held in the Earlham Cemetery in Earlham, Iowa. Kuhn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.