David W. Radtke

David Walter Radtke, born on March 30, 1937 at Holy Cross Hospital, Merrill entered eternal life on March 7, 2020. The son of the late Walter and Erna (Kufahl) Radtke, David was baptized and confirmed at the former Zion Lutheran Church, Village of Maine by Pastor Piehler. David attended Valley View School, Village of Maine, and then the Wausau Vocational School where he studied agriculture and farm accounting, graduating in 1954. In 1955 David and his friend, Don Hoff joined the U.S. Army for 2 years and spent basic training in California and one year stationed in Germany together. In March of 1959 David met the love his life, Bonnie Jean Nass, and they married on May 28, 1960. Bonnie, the daughter of the late Max Herman and Ella Ottlia (Lambrecht) Nass, survives. David and Bonnie’s marriage was blessed with three children: twins Donald (Jilayne) Radtke of Merrill, and Donna (Benny) Polley of Waunakee, and another son, Daryl Radtke of Thorp; five grandchildren, Barbara (Adam) Schult, Gena Radtke, and Matthew (Ashley) Radtke all of Merrill, Kirsten Polley of Colorado, and Alyssa Polley (fiancé, Ben Cressall) of Canada; and seven great-grandchildren who brought him much joy, Waylan and Avalynn Schult, Mackenzie and Kamryn Rindfleisch, BryAnna Doerr, and Ayden and Chayse Radtke. David took over the family farm in 1960 as the 4th generation owner, and also worked for Urban Construction. In 1985 David began employment with the Merrill Housing Authority at Park Place, and retired in July of 2005. Throughout David’s younger years he was a member of the FFA, serving as both treasurer and president, and he was also a member of the Wisconsin Junior Dairymen’s Association. In his later years David served on the Maple Grove Cemetery Board. He was currently a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill and the Men’s Club at church. David was also a member of the ‘Pommerscher Verein.’ David’s hobby was working on genealogy. David’s confirmation verse was Psalm 26:8, “Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where Thine honor dwelleth.” The funeral will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Adam Rodriquez will officiate. Burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery, Village of Maine. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill and again after 9:30 AM Saturday at the church. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.