Carmen V. Radke, 83

Carmen Radke
Announcing the death of Carmen Valeer (Burns) Radke who passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.
Carmen was born in Winnebago on Sept. 28, 1940, to Gladys and Harold Burns at the Winnebago Hospital. Carmen attended school in Winnebago. Her class was the first kindergarten class in Winnebago and got to march in the homecoming parade. Carmen started her senior year in Winnebago and then her family moved to Willmar, where she graduated in June 1958. She attended every class reunion and enjoyed reconnecting with her Winnebago classmates. Carmen was a member of and was confirmed at First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed singing in the youth and adult choir. As a child Carmen loved to ride bicycle and was a member of the Girls Scouts.
Carmen married in October of 1958 and lived in Wells where she had two children, Bruce and Julie. While in Wells she belonged to the EUB Church and sang in the choir. She and her first husband later divorced. In 1966, Carmen began working at Miami Margarine which later became Holsum Food and Ventura Foods. She retired after working over 30 years.
Carmen married Ted Radke on Aug. 31, 1996 and they made their home in Albert Lea. Carmen enjoyed embroidery, reading including her prayer book, genealogy and collecting stamps. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on the visiting Deacons where she was chairperson for two years. At church she volunteered at Kid Zone, secretary of the Presbyterian Women and would substitute for the church secretary occasionally. She was a member of the Genealogy Society and served as president. She also volunteered for “Autumn in the Village” at the museum and enjoyed typing data into the computer and gave her time to the Trades & Labor Credit Union. Carmen enjoyed being a member of the Low Bucks Car Club for 25 years and loved showing off her flame orange 1972 Buick Skylark.
Carmen is survived by her husband, Ted; son, Bruce (Joyce) Frederick; and stepchildren, Matthew and Amy; grandchildren, Adam (Amanda) Frederick, Jill (Adam) Miller, Krista Frederick; step-granddaughter, Ali, who came to visit every weekend to attend Sunday School and Church. Ali later lived with Carmen and Ted for over 10 years. Carmen is also survived by brothers-in-law, Ron Radke and Jim Radke; sister-in-laws, Joan (Mike) Cutajar who was like a sister to Carmen and Elaine Dornquast; great-grandchildren, Adi Frederick, Grace and Aaron Miller; and niece Gaile Holstad.
Carmen is preceded in death by daughter, Julie; parents; sister, Wanda (Glenn); in-laws, Tom and Pam Radke, Linda Radke and Pat Radke; step-grandson, Makaio; and mother and father-in-law, Ed and Marcella Radke. Carmen’s words of wisdom were FROG….Fully Rely On God!