Obituary of Berle Wayne Radchenko

Berle Wayne Radchenko was born to Nicholas and Cecilia Radchenko on September 14, 1952. Nick (predeceased) and Cecilia (predeceased) moved from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to Highgate, Sk, in 1957 and resided there until 1959. They moved the family south of Battleford where they began their farming career. Berle was the third youngest amongst the six children.

Berle moved from the farm in 1970 to work with his brother Garry at a pipeline company and went to school at NAIT in 1973.

 
He met Rita, the woman of his dreams, in November 1973, while they both attended business administration at NAIT. He said that he knew within hours that he would marry her. They wed on July 5, 1975, just a month after he began his career with the bank. Berle and Rita lived in Edmonton until 1976 when they moved to Champion, Alberta. Berle advanced in his career and relocated to Redwater, then High Level, later returned to Champion, and eventually settled in Lacombe for seven years. 

Berle collected trophies for his athleticism in curling, golf, slo-pitch, fishing, horseshoes, and bunnock. Besides playing sports, he equally participated as a spectator, cheering loudly from the living room each time his beloved Detroit Red Wings took the ice. He was an avid Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Blue Jays fan.

In 1988, they moved with their six children to uncle Peter Gartner’s farm, southwest of Daysland, and across the field from Rita’s parents. Two additional children later, they had completed their perfect family of two girls and six boys. Berle started a new career with Flagstaff County in 1989 and eventually became gravel foreman. During his 18 years with the county, he was respected by fellow employees for his hard work and sense of humour. Due to health issues, he retired in February 2008.

They embraced city life in October 2013 when they moved to Camrose. In 2015, Berle and Rita celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the farm, where they had often hosted family gatherings.

Berle passed away on Monday, June 18, 2018, at the age of 65 years. Berle leaves behind his wife Rita and eight loving children: Anna Radchenko of Camrose, Dawn (Daryl) Ellertson of Calgary, Tony (Becky) of Calgary, Derek (Katie) of Sherwood Park, John (Bonny) of Camrose, Robert (Ashley) of Daysland, Steve of Camrose, and Kevin of Devon. He adored his grandchildren Taylor, Noah, Jaeden, Alysse, Lucian, Christina (predeceased), Brody, Samuel, Zachary, Elijah, Emma, Kennedy, Campbell, Jesse, and Paxton.

Berle also leaves behind his sister Bev (Doug) Petrie of Edmonton; and brothers Loran (Carole) of Calgary, Garry (Pat) of Kamloops, Brian (Pat) of Battleford, Sk, and Garth Radchenko (Shelly Rye) of Dundurn, Sk.

A Prayer Vigil was held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018, from Our Lady of the Prairies Roman Catholic Church in Daysland, Alberta.

A Funeral Mass was held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 22, 2018,  from Our Lady of the Prairies Roman Catholic Church in Daysland with Rev. Len Gartner officiating. Interment will take place in the Daysland Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Diabetes Association.