Frederick Charles Radke was born Aug 25 1928 in Guernsey Sask. Fred was the 5th son of 16 children born to Walter and Vera (Schallhorn) Radke. Typical to those days Fred was born at home.
The Radke family moved to Carrot River to homestead in the early 1940s. He attended Battle Heights School. His early life was spent working with is dad and brothers at any ventures that the family took on.
Fred met the love of his life Gladys Ducommun and they were married on November 12th 1952 in Nipawin Sk. Fred and Gladys move to BC in 1954, and for a little more than 6 years they called it home. Eventually their hearts brought them back home and in 1961 they moved to Tisdale to operate M&K Restaurant. This work and various club activities kept them busy for many years. In 1967 they were surprised to be blessed with their first daughter Pam and shortly after that Susan was born and their family was complete. While Gladys stayed home to raise the girls Fred ventured into his own construction business Radke Construction Ltd. Although this is career path was a lot of very hard work Fred loved working outside and operating the large equipment that came with it. Radke Construction grew into a lifelong career which saw him move his family to the acreage where they built their dream home and it’s there they watched his business grow and thrive. On top of his full time business he and Gladys were partners in Chicken Delight for several years. When he had time off he and the family enjoyed many camping and fishing trips.
Fred retired and sold Radke Construction in 1990. The next few years saw Fred and Gladys do lots of craft work. He enjoyed this work and proudly sold their goods at the craft sales in the mall.
Starting in 1992 and over the next 14 years he was blessed with his 4 grandchildren, he became their biggest fans. He would always try to go to as many hockey, baseball or soccer games and watch them swim, dance, hunt and fish as often as he could. This last August he was very proud to become a great grandpa.
After the loss of Gladys in 2006 Fred sold his home and moved to Heritage House. He adjusted well to apartment life. Over the first year he started to have health issues and he had to have a major heart surgery. This is when he was started to develop a friendship with Rose Williams. She would be there to help with meals, run errands and provide endless hours of friendship. They became great companions and relied on each through good and bad times. Fred found a place in her family as she did in his family and they enjoyed spending time with all of them. Fred and Rose traveled many miles, on many roads exploring the country side together.
Fred’s last few years were filled with the love of his family. Fred’s health continued to slowly decline but you would never know it. He held strong to the faith that he would be able to get a few more years to see his family grow. Sadly the challenges that came with recovering from his broken ankle proved too much to overcome. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
Fred was predeceased by his loving wife Gladys, his parents Walter and Vera Radke, brothers: Clinton, Gordon, Glen, Marquis and Larry; sisters: Isabel Schmidt and Betty Hewitt and sister-in-law Clara, brother-in-law Walter; and far too many other family members.
Left to mourn his passing are daughters Pam (Aaron) Scarlett and Susan (Terry) Weber grandchildren Dylan (Kim), Derek (Brittany) Weber, Lauren and Tayler Scarlett and great grandson and little buddy Daxton Weber; sister Darlene (Lloyd) Rahn; brothers: Gilbert (Evelyn), Clillard (Norma), Earl (Jackie), Billy (Bev), Jimmy (Marie), Mervin (Darlene) and Dennis; sisters-in-law Lena and Molly and brother-in-law Ed Hewitt; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

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