John "Don" Radke

John Donald “Don” Radke, 98, Bismarck, formerly of Walhalla and Dickinson, ND passed away at St. Vincent’s Care Center on January 16th, 2019. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 10:30 a.m., at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Walhalla, ND. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 5:00pm-7:00pm with a rosary at 7:00pm. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in the spring.
Don was born December 30, 1920 in Oakes, ND to Fred & Abigail (McCue) Radke. He graduated from Grand Forks Central High School and went on to the University of North Dakota. He served in the US Army Signal Intelligence Corp during World War II in the North Africa, China/Burma/India Theater. On June 2, 1947, he married Betty Beaudry at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla.
Don was employed by Radke Hardware, Jordan Tile (Corona, CA), Walhalla Insurance Agency, and co-owner with his wife Betty, Radke’s Variety. Don belonged to The Legion of Mary at St. Boniface Catholic Church. He contributed his time and talents to various organizations that promoted the Walhalla area. His many interests included building and flying remote control airplanes and passing that passion to generations of his family. He also followed and supported the North Border sports teams. In his later years, he kept active with various projects that were an interest to him.
He is survived by his three daughters, Mary Beth (Dieter) Kuper, Grayslake, IL, Ann Tongen, Bismarck, Therese (Dan) Orr, West Fargo, grandchildren, James (Joy) Kuper, Bethany (Johnathon) Tomlinson, and Chris (Meaghan) Tongen, great-grandchildren, James & Jocelynn Kuper, Hazel Tongen and Jacob Tomlinson and several nieces and nephews and special friend, Marianna Dosch.
Preceding him in death were his wife Betty, parents and siblings.
The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff of St Vincent’s Care Center. The family also wishes to express their thanks and gratitude to Dr. Mark Erickstad and the Dosch family for their genuine care and concern of Don.
For those of you who wish to send a memorial in Don’s name, the family requests they be made to Walla Theatre Renovation, in Walhalla, ND. Checks can be made out to “GAHC/Walla Theatre” and sent to GAHC, PO BOX 917, Walhalla ND 58282.