Florence Radtke's Obituary
Florence Maxine (Rash) Radtke, age 97, of Norton Shores, Michigan, passed away on Saturday. She was born in Orchard, Iowa, and grew up in the tiny neighboring town of Burt, graduating from Burt High School in 1936. She moved to Evanston, Illinois, where she found work as an au pair in the household of a university professor with three young children. In 1939 she enrolled in National College of Education and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She moved to Muskegon in 1943 to accept a teaching position at Lindbergh School. In 1946 she married William G. Radtke and shortly thereafter she left teaching to pursue her preferred career as mother to their four children. She returned to teaching in 1966 and taught kindergarten at Angell School until her retirement in 1982. After retiring, she became a proud member of the American Association of University Women and the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel. She also volunteered for many years in the Mercy Hospital gift shop, where she enjoyed everything except working the cash register. She was always at her best when helping others. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her enthusiastic pursuit of many interests which included playing bridge, backyard bird watching, collecting dolls and children's books, and enjoying to the utmost every flower that bloomed in the spring. We will miss her laughter and her wonderful smile. She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, four sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by her son, John Radtke; her daughters, Mary (Thomas) Weidemeyer, Nancy (Andrew) Busard, and Ann (Michael) Piggott, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. In addition, she is survived by one sister, Lynda (Kenneth) Porter and many nieces and nephews. A FUNERAL SERVICE will take place Thursday, November 17, 2016, at The Walburn Chapel, 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. (231-759-8565) at 6:00 PM. VISITATION will take place an hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Muskegon Museum of Art or the Friends of Hackley Public Library. Feel free to share a memory with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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