The funeral service for William “Bill” Radtke, 73, of Cottonwood, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021, at the Swan Lake Evangelical Free Church in Cottonwood. Visitation will be Thursday, September 2, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Sharing of Memories at 6:30 p.m. at the Swan Lake E. Free Church. Visitation will continue on Friday from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at the Bethel Cemetery in Garvin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
William Howard “Bill” Radtke was born on December 12, 1947, in Tyler, MN, to Earl and Mae (Hudson) Radtke. He grew up in Balaton and graduated from Balaton High School in 1965. Bill enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force. On February 24, 1968, he was united in marriage to Carol Wendorff at the Garvin Congregational Church. Bill worked as a truck driver for several companies including Schwan’s, Dwire Gravel and Construction, Sam Hedge, Cliff Viessman, Eickhoff Enterprises and Central Bi-Products. He and his family lived in Schuyler, NE for ten years, then the Tracy Area, Vesta Area, and most recently in Cottonwood. He enjoyed classic cars and his 1965 Plymouth Belvedere was his pride and joy. Bill and Carol would take the car to various car shows and parades. He also was a sports fan and enjoyed following the Minnesota Vikings, Gophers and Twins and the Nebraska Corn Huskers. Bill retired in 2018 due to health reasons. He died on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the Prairie Home Hospice Lockwood House in Marshall.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carol Radtke of Cottonwood, daughters Paula Radtke Smith of Cottonwood, Gwen (and Jon) Bremen of Stewartville, MN, grandchildren Josh (and Chloe) Davis Smith of Elbow Lake, MN, and Elena Bremen of Stewartville; siblings Lorelie Wahl of Currie, Robert (and Nancy) Radtke of Spring, TX, Gary (and Mary) Radtke of Marshall; in-laws Robert (Joyce) Wendoff of Marshall MN, Beverly (Curt)Wixon of Aberdeen SD, Darrell (Linda) Wendorff of Tracy MN, Janice LaJoie of Sioux Falls SD; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Merrill Wahl, bother-in-law Gary LaJoie, and one brother in infancy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Prairie Home Hospice of Marshall, 408 East Main St Suite B, Marshall, MN 56258.
