Kenneth Dale Radke

Kenneth D. Radke, age 92, of Galva, passed away on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society of Holstein.  A private family funeral service will be held at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Galva with the Rev. Paul D. Egger officiating.  Burial will be at the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery of Galva with military rites conducted by the American Legion Dibbern Post #454 of Galva.  A public visitation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.  

Kenneth D. Radke was born December 16, 1928 to Albert and Doretta (Zoch) Radke on a farm north of Galva.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Galva, and remained a lifelong member.  He served as church treasurer and as a custodian at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

After graduating from Galva Community School in 1946, he farmed with his father.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-1952 during the Korean Conflict. He returned home to continue farming.

On January 10, 1965 he married Mary Kistenmacher at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein, IA.  They moved to the Zoch farm north of Holstein.

In 1971 they bought the Anderson farm north of Galva, moving there in March 1972.  Kenneth lived and farmed there the remainder of his life. He served as a director at the Galva Union Elevator and First Trust and Savings Bank of Galva.

Kenneth was a steward of the land, taking extra strides to preserve it.  He also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, playing cards and morning coffee at the Galva Legion.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Mary; two brothers, Dean (Margaret) Radke and Lee (Bev) Radke; two sisters-in-law, Elmeree Radke and Lois Kistenmacher; nieces and nephews, Mike (Anita) Radke, Tom (Gladys) Radke, Lisa (Brian) Cronin, Greg Radke, Kevin (Sara) Radke, Phyllis (John) Baumann, Rodney (Phyllis) Otto, Eileen (Ron) Steffens, Gary (Alura) Otto, Joel (Cheryl) Otto, Jackie (Steve) Meyer, David (Liz) Kistenmacher, Drew Kistenmacher, Lisa (Mike) Teeter and many great nephews and nieces.

Preceding Kenneth in death were his parents; parents-in-law, Harry and Blondina Kistenmacher; brothers, Virgil Radke, Wendel Radke; sister, Elsie (Wilbert) Otto; brothers-in-law, Donald Kistenmacher and Paul Kistenmacher; niece, Penny Radke and nephew, Duane (Carolyn) Otto.

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