Arthur Radtke

Arthur C. Radtke, age 96 of Waseca, died on Monday, June 8, 2009 at the Janesville Nursing Home.      Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 11th at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Martin Schaefer, celebrant. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Waseca.      Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home in Waseca, and will continue on Thursday morning for one hour prior to services, at church.      Arthur Chester was born on November 12, 1912 in Lemond Township, Steele County, Minnesota to Carl and Emma (Jorgenson) Radtke. He was united in marriage to Helen Martha Kelly at St. Mary Catholic Church in St. Mary Township, Waseca County. Art and Helen farmed in Waseca County until 1953 when they moved into Waseca. Art worked for Byron Farm Store and later Birds Eye Foods, in Waseca.   He retired after 20 years as head custodian at the Minnesota Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca, a 3rd Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and a former member of the Waseca Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie # 3753. Art enjoyed dancing, playing Hollywood Poker, hunting and fishing. He loved gardening, and in 1954 he planted a clematis that still flourishes at his home today.      He is survived by his daughter Betty Anthony of Waseca, and his son John (Sheila) Radtke of Shieldsville; by his 7 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.      He was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife Helen on April 26, 1986; by his son-in-law Jerry Anthony and his sister Esther Broscoff; by his special companion Charlotte Mueller in January of 2007.