Obituary of Horst Karl Radtke

Horst Karl Radtke

1925-2023

 

Horst Karl Radtke died at age 97 on March 19, 2023, at Bay View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Red Wing, Minnesota, under the care of St Croix Hospice. He was born on October 13, 1925, in Múzquiz, Mexico, to Willy and Ottilie Radtke of Germany as they prepared to immigrate to the United States. With the sponsorship of the Seebach family, they settled in Goodhue, Minnesota, and later moved to Red Wing. Horst cherished the friendship of his classmates from Red Wing High School Class of 1943.

 

At age 18, Horst enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served in Luzon, Philippines, where he was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Victory Medal. Following an honorable discharge, he married Lila Sward of Red Wing in 1947. They settled in Winona, Minnesota, where Horst attended Winona State University and played baseball and football for the Warriors. Upon graduation, he accepted a position as a high school teacher, coach, and athletic director in Grand Meadow, Minnesota. He returned to Red Wing and served as production manager of the machine shop at Meyer Industries where they made light towers for Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, Candlestick Park, Dodger Stadium, Southdale Shopping Center, and many other notable landmarks. The family later moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota, and Horst was employed by The Pillsbury Company in their manufacturing facility until his retirement.

 

Lila and Horst enjoyed raising sons Mark and Randy, dancing, bridge, and the 500 Card Club. After Lila's death in 2003, Horst returned to Red Wing where he met and married Adair Dahman in 2007. They were blessed to find love again in their senior years. Adair and Horst enjoyed daily devotions, listening to his hundreds of musical tapes, duplicate bridge, and events at The Downtown Plaza and at Bay View Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Horst especially loved listening to Adair play the piano.

 

Horst had a life-long love of baseball. He played for the Red Wing Scarlets, Winona State Warriors, and Winona Chiefs; was a player/manager for the Red Wing Aces; and was inducted into the Red Wing Baseball Hall of Fame. Horst was recognized as a Minnesota Sports Champion by the State of Minnesota during its Centennial Celebration. Horst enjoyed coaching his sons’ teams, and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. Up until the last weeks of his life, he enjoyed adding to his extensive baseball card collection.

 

He was a member of First Lutheran Church Red Wing, Lake City VFW Post 8729, and Red Wing American Legion Post 54.

 

Horst was predeceased by parents, Willy and Ottilie Radtke; brother, Paul Radtke; wife of 56 years, Lila Radtke; wife of 14 years, Adair Dahman; stepdaughter, Adair Palmatier; and stepson, William Dahman. Survived by sons: Mark (Dawn) Radtke and Randy Radtke; stepchildren and spouses: Diane (Tom) Erickson, Kerry (Bill) Laqua, Rich Dahman, Christopher Palmatier; 12 step-grandchildren, 4 step-great-grandchildren; brother-in law Lorne (Avis Swan) McDonald; sister-in-law Marcy Hostager; nieces, nephews, and friends.

 

A memorial service with military honors will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing, MN.

 

Memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church, 615 W. 5^th St., Red Wing, MN 55066.