Kenosha – Charles E. Radtke, 81, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, June 12, 2012. He was born in Wausau on August 6, 1930, son of the late Ervin and Evelyn (nee: Christiansen) Radtke.
On May 31, 1952, Charles was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lois (nee: Smith) Radtke, who preceded him in death on February 3, 2008.
Charles proudly served his country with the National Guard following graduation from Marshfield High School. He was a master plumber (Local 118) and owned his own business, City Wide Plumbing, for many years.
Charles was an outdoorsman and especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, and panning for gold. He took many memorable fly-in fishing trips with his family and friends to Canada. Charles was also known for planning day trips for the family in the desert when they vacationed at their home in Arizona. He liked to frequent casinos over the years to test his luck. Charles also took up the game of tennis following his retirement. Above all, Charles loved his family and will be dearly missed everyone who knew him.
Charles leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Bill (Sheryl) Radtke of Comstock, Charla (Dave Lamar) Klinkhammer, Cindy (Luis) Villarreal, both of Racine; grandchildren, Charles (Amy) Radtke, Trevor (finance Karalee Blue) Radtke, Melissa (Mike) Schmidt, Michelle (John) Avis, Stacy (Mike) Compagno, Cheri Lee Villarreal, Brooke (Kevin) Thill, Heather (Brad) Ward, Kimberly Schulte, Joshua Schulte; great-grandchildren, Eloise Radtke, Jordan Schmidt, Emilee Schmidt, Michaela Schmidt, Christopher Avis, Amanda Avis, Antonio Villarreal, Andrew Compagno, Dylan Thill, Nicholas Thill, Isabella Thill, Walter Thill, Oscar Ward, Tariku Ward; sister, Lois (Harold) Aschenbrenner; sisters-in-law, Karin Smith, Carol (Eugene) Arnett; devoted friend, Barb Rigden; and other relatives and dear friends too numerous to mention. In addition to his parents and wife, Charles is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Norbert Klinkhammer, sister, Elaine (Earl) Wundrow; and brother-in-law, Richard Smith.
A memorial service for Charles will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16, 2012, 12pm, at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 4600 County Line Road, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Visitation will be from 11am until the time of the service. Memorials have been suggested to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.
Becky Vork says
Oh, Uncle Chuck, you will be missed. My sympathies to all my much-loved cousins and their families at this sad time.
James Arnett says
Uncle Chuck,
You always kept family first. God bless you!
Jon & Amy Arnett says
Peace, prayers and blessings to you all during this sad time.