Obituary of Norman Richard Radke

Norman Richard Radke

(April 16, 1931 - December 5, 2018)

Norman Richard Radke of Bashaw, and formerly of Camrose and Donalda, passed away on Wednesday, December 5th, at the age of 87 years.

Norman was born to August and Lydia (Madu) Radke on April 16th, 1931, and he was the third of four children born to this family.  He grew up on the family farm in the Big Timber District, which is east of Bashaw.  After finishing grade eight he went out into the working world. He worked first for local farmers, and in the winter of ‘48-49 he worked at the Edwards Logging Camp west of Rocky Mountain House. In 1950 he started farming, first by renting his parent’s farm for a short time, and then renting another local farm.
In 1948 Norman met Doris Collin, who was the new school teacher at Big Timber. The teacherage had been moved to the August Radke farm, so their meeting was more than chance. A friendship led to a romance, and they were married at Bethany Lutheran Church, Donalda on June 30th, 1952.
In 1954 Norman and Doris moved to the Hoffman farm north of Donalda, where they lived and farmed and raised their family of five children. In August 2008 they moved to Camrose. The move to Camrose was made with much hesitation, and both Norman and Doris left much of themselves behind on their farm and in the community that had been their home for many years. Following the death of Doris in 2016 Norman made his last move to Bashaw Meadows.
Norman was baptized, confirmed, and married in the Lutheran Church, and he and Doris and their family were members at Bethany Lutheran Church during all of the years that they lived at Donalda. Norman attended one term at Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute, Camrose in the winter of 1951. Norman was a quiet man with a gentle faith.
On the farm, Norman was the happiest when he was working with his cattle and with his horses.  He enjoyed this part of farming very much, and he took pride in having a good herd of cattle.  Each year for many years he bought an unbroke horse in the fall, and part of his winter recreation was to break the horse to ride.  Norman was a good horseman.  In his younger years, he also enjoyed playing ball and curling.  Driving through the Yorkshire Dales in England with Gloria and her family were treasured memories, but perhaps the best trips of all were the Sunday afternoon drives exploring the local countryside.

Norman is survived by his children Dwayne (Lorraine), Melody (Dave), Wendy (Bruce), Gloria, and Mark (Jane) as well as seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Doris (Roy) Malmo, his sisters-in-law Florence Johnson and Anna Collin, his brother-in-law Gene Jones, as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. The family gives thanks for a life that was well lived, and a rich legacy of love and understanding and patience.  

A time for viewing was held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2018, from the Burgar Memorial Chapel. 

A Funeral Service was held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 14, 2018 fro,m the Bethany Lutheran Church Donalda (North of Donalda on RR 184 TWP Rd 430), with Rev. Garfield Vikse officiating. Interment has taken place in the Bethany Donalda Cemetery.

If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Norman's memory may be made to Bethany Donalda Church, or to the charity of one's choice.