Walt Radke Obituary

Walt Radke Walt Radke 91 of Emmett, passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2008 at a local Assisted Living Center. Waldemar Herman Radke was born Dec. 2, 1916 in Leal, N.D. to Friedrich Erdmann and Emilie Hedwig Kube Radke. Walt was raised on a wheat farm in N.D. by parents who had emigrated from Germany. He graduated from Leal High School in 1935 and went to Seattle, Wash. for education at the Seattle Marine Diesel School. In 1937 he returned to live with his family who had moved to Montpelier, Idaho. While there he met Selma Mildred Schick. They were married on Nov. 16, 1941. Walt was inducted into the Army in June of 1941 and served in the military throughout World War II. He transferred to the Air Force and both trained and instructed as a bombardier/navigator. Near the end of the war, Walt was stationed on Guam and Saipan, flying missions over Japan. After the Armistice he was involved with food drops to the POW's in Japan. Walt's family and Selma had moved to Emmett, Idaho in 1944. He returned there in 1945 and joined his father and brother in the retail furniture business. He was involved in Radke Furniture Store from 1945 until 2000 when the business was closed. He also traveled extensively as a wholesale representative for numerous furniture lines from 1956 until his retirement in 1999. Walt was always an avid participant in sports, and later in life, a devoted spectator at the football and basketball games at Emmett High School and BYU. Walt will be remembered for his work ethic, integrity, generosity and love of family. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Walt was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law, Roger Jones and his brother, Ernest Radke. He is survived by his wife, Selma, to whom he demonstrated great devotion in the difficult and latter years of her life. He leaves his daughter, Wendy Jones of Bellevue, Wash. and his son, Steve Radke and wife LaRena of Emmett, Idaho. In addition he leaves seven grandchildren, Angie Wanlass, Jennifer Webb, Amber Simonich, Julie Carver, Andy Radke, Steven Jones and Summer Radke and five great-grandchildren. Walt's family expresses their gratitude to those who have lovingly assisted him at both Serenity and The Cottages of Emmett. They suggest memorials for research to the National Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org or 225 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1700, Chicago, Il 60601). Funeral services will be held in the Downtown LDS Chapel at 1001 East Second Street, Emmett, Idaho on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. A viewing at 10 a.m. will precede the service. Interment with military honors will follow at the Emmett Cemetery. Arrangements are by Potter Funeral Chapel of Emmett.

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Published by Idaho Statesman from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Walt Radke

8 Entries

John Skoro

February 27, 2008

My condolences to Walt's family,
I will always remember Walt as a very fine man that had a good word for everyone. A great memory was when my Dad Charles took me down to Radke's to watch TV in the evening(a private showing) before Dad bought the Sparten console black and white. I'm sure Walt sold a lot of televisions to his many Emmett friends with that low key master salesman approach. My Aunt, Rosina Hereth, called and told me of his passing. My family turned to both Walt and Ernie for help and advice many times. God bless you and always keep you in his care.

Bonnie Dobson Brazier

February 12, 2008

Wendy,
It's been so many years and it's sad knowing the death of your dear dad prompts a contact with you. You're in my prayers, and hopefully you can wrap yourself in the comfort of wonderful memories.
Bonnie Dobson Brazier

Colleen (Hadley) Ferguson

February 11, 2008

Wendy and Steve,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It's never easy to lose a parent.

Konnie (Clements) Book

February 8, 2008

Selma,Steve & Wendy,
I have so many good memories of Walt. Selma and Walt were the best neighbors. Stacia and I always enjoyed going to the Radke's. I too, remember Buffer the dog going down the slide. May God bless each of you during this time.

Melanie (Limb) Elkins

February 7, 2008

I visited Walt with my Mother in Emmett just 3 months ago and had a delightful visit with him. He was always kind enough to remember me as Wendy's childhood friend. He was a warm and friendly person who always made me feel important. Love to Selma, Wendy, and Steve.

Annabell Perkins

February 6, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you for your loss of Walt.
Annabell Perkins

Stacia Jones-Wilson

February 5, 2008

Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor. I will always remember Buffer sliding down the slide with Angie, Amber and I when we were little kids. You will be deeply missed.

John Sowell

February 3, 2008

Selma, Wendy and Steve, I'm saddened by your loss.

I can't begin to tell you the impact Walt had on my life. He showed me how you don't have to run over others or be the loudest person in the room to be successful. He had a calm decency and an adherence to the Golden Rule that made him a wonderful role model.

He and Selma showed me the value of an honest day's work, while hiring my brother Jim and I to help clean a house that never seemed to need cleaning. It was their way of helping out two boys that didn't have a father present and just being around the two of them made our lives better.

I learned how cutting the grass in criss-cross directions makes it look better. Only on our lawn, I mowed one direction one week and the other direction the next. On Walt's lawn, it had to be mowed both ways each week.

Walt found odd jobs for me periodically at the store and trusted me to drive his beloved blue El Camino, which I secretly suspect he would have rather driven all the time, rather than his business Fords.

I also remember him for allowing me to "adopt" Feller, the Cocker Spaniel "who didn't like kids," but who began jumping over their fence to come visit me within a couple of weeks of moving in across the street from Walt and Selma. Feller later ran all over town and came inside stores as he accompanied me on my bicycle.

Walt, you played a large role in making me the man I am today and I thank you and your entire family.

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