Fred W. Raddatz

Fred W. Raddatz, Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church organist, passed away April 26, 2025, at the age of 67. He was the son of the late Fred H. and late Jane (nee Reuter) Raddatz; husband of Beverly (nee Deitz); married previously to Kathleen Rogers, who shared his children, Fred M. Raddatz, Richard (Carol) Raddatz, and Stephanie (Gerard) Bonner; and his precious grandchildren - Gerard, Jr., Jorge, Gianna, and Jelani; mourned by his sister, Cynthia (Martin) Dyjak, and her family, Matthew (Patti) Dyjak, Grace (Matthew) Lukasick, and Heather (Neal) Gobrogge, and their children.

At a younger age, Fred's first loves were baseball, softball, cars, and bowling. He was a great bowler over the years and bowled until this last year, 2024. He started a career in retail at Osco Drug and became store manager, working for Osco 35 years, and continued in retail as manager 1.5 years at Republic Lumber, 1 year at Allen Organ, 2 years at Dollar General, plus 7 years at Family Dollar till retirement age. He had other passions during some of his free time. He loved to build decks and remodel. He was a "people person" who loved to be surrounded by individuals of all kinds, and he always had a joke to tell. His love for his dogs was boundless. He'd do anything for his Angel, Kelly, Ginger, Lady, and Penny. He was always a faithful man. In his later years, he immersed himself into studying God's Word. Many a time during the late-night- hours he studied, so he was ready to witness for the Lord.

Fred has served Holy Cross Church in many  ways during his life here. He served as an usher, bell ringer, elder, head elder, helped develop a new committee as "Holy Cross Growth Committee", and was hired  to be our organist and choir director. His most cherished position he served was being our organist. This was his greatest passion. He said it was such a great honor being at the organ, leading the congregation in praise and thanksgiving. It provided him with a heartfelt warmth that he was helping souls, in the art of music. This, he felt, brought a soulful meaning to worshipping the Lord. He mentioned often that sharing the Word of God through music was truly a gift from God.

Fred's start as organist was in 1982, when the Holy Cross organist needed assistance playing for its German service. Fred offered his help. This made him feel  he was really getting a chance to be a part of the inner church work, just as his heritage did  before him here at Holy Cross. His heritage journey that preceded him at Holy Cross was his great-grandfather, John F. Reuter, organist and teacher, who served from 1920 through 1939. His grandfather, John P. Reuter, organist, teacher, and principal, served from 1940 through 1966. Approximately 86 years of dedication between the 3 of them shared with Holy Cross came from the Reuter family. Besides the heritage serving Holy Cross, the Reuter family has rich history in the line of music and teachers, even before the heirs came to America from Germany. His great-uncle, "Fritz" Reuter, composed several great organ compositions and published them, wrote two Lutheran hymns that are known still today: "God's Word is Our Great Heritage" and "Lord, Jesus, Thou the Church's Head". So Fred had much to be proud of and perform his best to show his love for music, which he held so dearly. In 1986, he became Holy Cross's full-time organist and choir director for all our worship services and many fellowship events. This began his 40  plus years as an organist and he served it graciously for all those years.

Fred has now joined the "Army of Saints" who have gone before him, some of whom were those saints that included his ancestry-heritage. Fred and his heritage truly served Our Lord and Holy Cross congregation, which was quite a blessing to all of us. He never thought of it as a chore. He knew it was something he had to do.

Thank you, Lord, Jesus! For our brother in Christ, Fred W. Raddatz, a fine and faithful servant.

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a Crown of Life." Rev. 2:10 KJV.

Family and friends will  gather for a viewing Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 1-6:00 pm and Monday, May 5, 2025 from 9:30-11:00 am  at Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3116 South Racine Avenue; Chicago, IL 60608. A funeral service will begin Monday at 11:00 am followed by a graveside service at Bethania Cemetery; 7701  Archer Avenue; Justice, IL. (773)927-6424.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church are most appreciated.