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James (Jim) Radke, loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, age 88, of Bayport, MN, passed away peacefully on Veterans Day November 11, 2023. He was born on November 24, 1934, in Stillwater, MN. He was the youngest of seven children to parents Otto and Ella (Krongard) Radke. Jim was a Bayport, MN resident, tried and true. He lived in Bayport from a young child, raising his family, into the elderly life of 88 years in all.
Jim Graduated from Stillwater High School in 1952 where he excelled in baseball as a pitcher. He carried that later into life when he enlisted into the Army. Jim was stationed in Stuttgart Germany, where is spent three years during the cold war as a driver, transporting “the brass” and playing exhibition baseball for the troops. Jim came home on leave only once, to propose to his high school sweetheart, Dianne – he wanted to make sure she knew she was the person he needed in his life to ‘Make it Right’.
After the Army, Jim was invited to try out for the New York Mets, but instead chose to be with Dianne and start a family. They were married June 30th, 1956, and were together for the next 64 years until Dianne passed away March 30, 2020. Jim has three sons, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, which he loves dearly. He retired from Andersen Windows as a foreman in the “Zoo” old group 28 at the age of 57, after 37 years with the company. Jim also volunteered as a Bayport Fireman retiring after 20 years serving as an engineer.
He loved to hunt and fish and shared this joy with his boys and the generations that followed. Jim and Dianne cherished the North Shore, and purchased a small family cabin in Hovland, MN. This continues to be a favorite place for family to come and fish for lake trout and salmon on Lake Superior, grouse hunting and walleye fishing up the Arrowhead Trail, playing cards, bird watching – you name it! Jim and Dianne owned two horses (Nice Wild Rice & Winters Night) that raced at Canterbury Park. While not big winners, the kids and grandkids loved visiting the horses. Jim and Dianne also enjoyed traveling, making their way to Florida, South Carolina, Europe, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii and Canada for their cheese haul. Jim was a big Minnesota Twins and Viking fan – and has passed that down to his family.
Jim’s sarcasm and deep love for those around him continued until his passing – enjoyed by one and all in his family. And if you ever need a perfect slice of applesauce cake well . . . he has all the secrets!
Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Dianne D. Radke; parents, Otto and Ella Radke; siblings Harriet Asp, Lowell (Valerie) Radke, Leonard “Lenny” (Dorthey) Radke, George “Worry” (Carmen) Radke, Lyle “Buzzy” (Emily) Radke and William Radke; brother/sister in-laws, Blair “Bumps” Woolsey, Jim “Turk” Dahlin and Dick “Slush” (Jean) Dahlin.
Jim is survived by his three boys, Scott (Janet) Radke, Tim (Jean) Radke, and Todd Radke; grandchildren, Scottie Radke, Nicholas (Erin) Radke, Danielle (Garry) Dombrock, Kelsie (Mat) Henderson, Nanci (Carl) Cunningham and Meghan (Dietrich) Wilke, Chad and Coltan Radke; great grandchildren, Wynn, Ben and Audrey (Radke), Lilliana, Dillon and Millie (Dombrock), Hazel (Henderson) Forest and Arlo (Cunningham) and Ophelia (Wilke); sisters in-law, Joanne Woolsey and Gail Alanko; and many other relatives and friends.
Memorial Service for Jim will be held on December 6, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bayport, MN. Service at 11 AM, visitation one hour prior to service at the Church. Celebration of Life will continue from 3-6 PM, at Bayport American Legion, 263 3rd St N. Bayport, MN 55003.