Obituary

Norman L. Radke

Obituary

Norman L. Radke was re-united with his wife in Heaven when he died Friday, March 14, 2014, at the Kansas Christian Home in Newton, where he had lived this past year.

He was born in Hoisington, on June 30, 1928. His parents were Paul B. and Clara (Brack) Radke. They preceded him in death as did his brothers, Paul C. (Clinton) and John.

Norman married Donna Lee Turnbull in Council Grove on Aug. 13, 1950. She died Feb. 6, 2006.

He is survived by: brothers, Bill Radke and wife, Pat of Hoisington, Allen Radke of Pinedale, Wyo. Also surviving are sons, Dennis Radke and wife, Joyce of Hutchinson, Darrell Radke and his wife, Karen of Newton; grandsons, David Radke and wife, Laci of Arlington, Daniel Radke of Hutchinson; granddaughters, Bethany Gormley and husband, Lance of Newton, Sarah Martin and husband, Joe of Kansas City; eight great-grandchildren, Hunter Radke, Jake and Ethan Beck, Greg Radke, Tristan and Emily Gormley, Gabriel and Elaina Martin.

He graduated from Hoisington High School in 1946 and from Emporia State University in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in music education. He received his master's degree in music from the University of Colorado in Boulder, in 1963.

Norman taught two years at Wichita County Community High School in Leoti, three years at Kinsley Public Schools, 12 years at Pratt Public Schools and Community College, and 14 years at Garden City Community College. While at Pratt, he served as president of the Pratt City Teachers Association and was named Outstanding Young Teacher. At Garden City, he served as chairman of the Faculty Senate and was named "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities."

After retiring from Garden City Community College, he joined the Finney County Sheriff's Department, where he served for 10 years. While there, he was a patrolman, achieved the rank of captain, and had been appointed undersheriff for Sheriff Grover Craig. Norman was a graduate of the Kansas Law Enforcement Academy, the National Academy of Corrections, Boulder, Colo., and served on the State Department of Corrections Advisory Committee for jail training.

After retirement in 1990, Norman and Donna moved to Lindsborg. He was a lifetime member of the Lutheran Church, and while in Lindsborg, he belonged to Bethany Lutheran Church. He served on the church council for six years and also served on the Worship and Music Committee, Outreach Committee, Bell Choir, and the Handyman Crew.

Norman was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt pheasant, quail and ducks. His hobbies included wood carving, leather making, needle point and making whirly gigs. He enjoyed reading and quite possibly read every book in the Lindsborg Public Library. He very much looked forward to spending time with his sons and grandchildren fishing, telling stories of his youth and life experiences, and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their favorite activities.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 320 N. Main in Lindsborg, with Pastor Loren Mai officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery, Lindsborg. Friends may call Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church, Bethany College, or the Lindsborg Community Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Please visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for Norman's family.