Harlan Radke

Services for Harlan Radke, Sr., 83, of Groton will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 11th at St. John's Lutheran Church, Groton. Rev. Craig Grams will officiate. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held at the church from 4-8 pm on Monday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Harlan passed away Friday, September 07, 2012 at Golden Living Center, Groton.

Harlan Radke, Sr. was born on November 29, 1928, to Mabel (Sombke) and Otto Radke in Groton, South Dakota. His parents passed away by the time he was nine and he was raised by his Uncle Albert "Speed" Radke. Harlan attended Groton High School.

Harlan was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Stratford, South Dakota.

On March 21, 1955, he married Thelma (Flint) Paepke in Stratford. The couple made their home in Groton. Harlan's life centered on family and farming. He held close relationships with many, but had a very special bond and dedication to his wife, Thelma. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and family. He was a loving father and grandfather and will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his children: Rev. William (Audrey) Paepke of Piedmont; Tom (Barbara) Paepke of Groton and Harlan "Butch" (Nancy) Radke of Groton; eight grandchildren: Donna (Mark) Moffett, James Gilbertson, Sarah (Jay) Raymond, Jennifer (Robert) Murray, Karl (Shauna) Paepke, Michelle (Chad) Johnson, Kevin Radke and Lisa (Brent) Wienk; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his wife in 2008; one daughter, Marlene Gilbertson; and two sisters, Mildred and Arlene.

Casketbearers will be his grandsons: Kevin Radke, Chad Johnson, Brent Wienk, Karl Paepke, Jay Raymond, Robert Murray, Mark Moffett and James Gilbertson.

Honorary Casketbearers will be his granddaughters: Michelle Johnson, Lisa Wienk, Donna Moffett, Sarah Raymond, Jennifer Murray and Shauna Paepke.

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