Florence Radke

Florence Bernice Radke, 95, longtime resident of Fredonia, ND died Monday, January 15, 2024, at SMP Health - Ave Maria in Jamestown, ND.

Florence Herrmann was born on November 13, 1928, on a farm near Kulm, ND to Otto and Elsie (Schweigert) Herrmann.  As a youngster, she grew up there and was baptized by Pastor Ruder & confirmed by E. Ketterling at the Congregational Church in Kulm; for eight years she attended rural schools near Kulm in Ponoma Township, LaMoure County.  She graduated from Kulm High School in 1946 and then taught school for one year south of Fredonia.

She and Clifford C. Radke were married on June 22, 1947, at the Kulm Congregational Church.  For the next four years, she continued teaching school in the Fredonia area.  In 1952, they had a son, Neill, and in 1956 another son, Brian.  

From 1970 to 1985, she worked for the Grenz General Store in Lehr, ND.  In 1990 she started working for the Fredonia Farmers’ Cooperative Elevator as a bookkeeper and retired after 20 years of service.  In 2010, she entered the Gackle Care Center and then moved to SMP Health - Ave Maria in 2021.

Florence was an active member of the Nazareth Congregational Church in Fredonia, where she played the organ for many years and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.  She also played organ at the Gackle UCC Church for 33 years.  She gave piano lessons for decades.  Florence spent hours and hours quilting for family and so many others.

Grateful for having shared her life with her two children; Neill (Janet), Wimauma, FL and Brian (Crystal) Radke, Rock Springs, WY; two grandchildren, Darin Radke and Megan Radke of Rock Springs, WY; one step-grandson, Alex Fadell of Bloomington, MN; one brother, Delano (Joanne) Herrmann of Fargo, ND; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister and brother-in-law, Gladys & Osborn Ost; sister and brother-in-law Alice & Reinie Blumhardt; and brother and sister-in-law, Melvin & Darlene Herrmann.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to SMP Health- Ave Maria or the Gackle Care Center- Gackle, ND (304 1st Ave W, Gackle, ND 58442)