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Vivian Darlene Radke, 93, of Cherokee passed away Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 11, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Jonathan Riggert officiated. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee. Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee assisted family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com
Vivian Darlene Radke, the daughter of Fred and Cecelia (Mackowski) Grauer, was born March 16, 1931, in Cherokee County. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. She was confirmed on Sept. 2, 1945, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Her favorite verse was Romans 5:11, “Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Darlene graduated from Wilson High School, Cherokee, in May 1949. Before graduation, she worked as a clerk at Baumann’s Bakery and then worked as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. and lived in the Hanover area.
On Feb. 17, 1957, Darlene married the love of her life, Donald Radke, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cherokee. They settled on the family farm by Hanover. She was a “farm wife” where she enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and raising her chickens.
Darlene and Don enjoyed singing in their church choir. She had many fond memories of the Radke family singing beautiful praises to their almighty God. As the years passed, she and Don retired to live in Cherokee. Health problems took over their lives, so they went into Accura Healthcare in July 2017. After Don’s passing, Darlene continued to make her home there.
Darlene passed away peacefully July 6, 2024, at Accura Healthcare in Cherokee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Cecelia Grauer; husband Donald; sister Evelyn Stoner and brother-in-law Charles; brother Sherald Grauer and sister-in-law Carole; brother Dale Grauer and sister-in-law Wilma; brother Robert Grauer; sisters and brothers-in-laws on Radke and Grauer sides.
Darlene will be lovingly remembered by her sisters: Lila Saxby, Shirley Larson, Mary Ann (William) Rasmus, Marjorie Veale; several nieces, nephews and friends.
The family of Darlene expresses their sincere thanks to family, pastor and friends for their prayers and support. Special thanks to the Radke family for their continued visits and Accura Healthcare and Cherokee Regional Hospice staff.
