Wm. Radke

William A. “Tony” Radke, 95, Breckenridge , MN , passed away on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at St. Francis Healthcare Campus, Breckenridge , MN . Funeral services will be on Friday, January 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Breckenridge Lutheran Church , Breckenridge , MN with Pastor Mark Manning officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 29, 2009 from 5 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge , MN . Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens , Wahpeton, ND.

William A. “Tony” Radke was born on March 9, 1913 in Nordick Township near Breckenridge , MN to William and Tina (Glander) Radke. He grew up and attended District #74 near Brushvale and then Breckenridge High School where he graduated in 1931. He then attended NDSCS for a short time. He worked for a roofing company and in 1937 began working for the Great Northern Railroad. In February of 1943 he joined the US Army and was an engineer for the railroad in India and was discharged in January of 1946. He returned to Breckenridge and worked as a fireman for the Great Northern and was later promoted to engineer until he retired in April of 1978. Tony was also in the bee and honey business for fourteen years.

Tony was united in marriage to Marvel Applin on June 29, 1942. She preceded him in death on July 28, 1974. On October 22, 1976 he married Doris Hermoe at the Little Brown Church in Nashua , Iowa .

Tony was a member of the Breckenridge Fire Department for twenty years. He was a member of the Railroad Retirees, Breckenridge VFW, American Legion, WWII Last Man Club and the National President for the China-Burma-India WWII Veterans Association. Tony was also a member of the Zurah Shrine for eight years in Minneapolis and was a Master Mason for 60 years.

In his earlier years, Tony enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and spoke of it often. Tony and his first wife Marvel were excellent bowlers and Tony continued to bowl until late in life. He also enjoyed golf, playing cards, and being at the lake with family. He also got together and shook dice daily with his friends in the Coffee Clutch Gang.

Tony is survived by, his wife, Doris Radke, Breckenridge , MN ; his stepson, Jim (Evie) Hermoe, St. James, MN; his step-granddaughter, Robyn (David) Wolf, Burnsville, MN; his step-great-granddaughter, Ashtyn Wolf; his nieces, Caroline (Ben) Stephens, Shoreview, MN, Margaret Larson, Astoria, OR, Mary (Greg) Asher, Mankato, MN, Katherine (Curt) Wallman, Brooklyn Park, MN; his nephew, Roger (Kim) Wittman, Nevis, MN; his special friends, Margaret Egge, Brenda and Mark Conzemius; his favorite grandcat, George.

He was preceded by, his parents, William and Tina Radke; his first wife, Marvel (Applin) Radke; his brother, Carl Radke.