Rudolph Radke

rudolph radke
Rudolph (Rudy) A. Radke, Jr., 71, Fargo, ND died Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at Lilac Homes Memory Care, Dilworth, MN surrounded by his family and assisted by Hospice of the Red River Valley. Rudy was born January 1, 1949 in Wahpeton, ND to Rudolph Sr. and Mabel (Schroeder) Radke. He attended Summit No. 1 (one-room) country school and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1967. He attended the State School of Science, Wahpeton and received a degree in agricultural economics at North Dakota State University in 1971. While at NDSU, Rudy met Lucille (Lucy) Binstock and they were married on August 2, 1975 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. In 1972, Rudy was employed by the NDSU Extension Service. He worked in Devils Lake, Killdeer, Valley City and Fargo with crops and livestock, 4-H and specialty crops. He was a member of the Fargo Gateway Lions Club and was actively involved with their seeing-eye-dog project. While in Cass County, Rudy arranged 4-H families to raise dogs in a family setting that were placed with the visually impaired. Rudy worked on committees establishing the Jamestown potato processing plant, the Grape Growers Association, local farmers markets, and other adventures. He was a member of the Nativity Knights of Columbus. Many memories were made during family vacations. Rudy’s many hobbies included classic cars, woodworking, matting pictures, pinochle, and model cars. As member and past president of the Valley Vintage Car Club, member of the National Impala Assn. and other car clubs, the family gained many friends in the U.S. and internationally. Rudy was very proud of his family. His survivors include his wife Lucy; children Kendall (Tiffany), Karla (Mitch), and Kyle (Leah); grandchildren Savannah, Charlie, Griffin and Walter; aunt Bertha Schroeder; numerous cousins; mother-in-law Ethel Binstock; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph Sr. (1987) and Mabel (2006). In lieu of flowers, memorial may be given in his name to Hospice of the Red River Valley or the Alzheimer’s Association. A Prayer Service will be held on Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 7:00 PM with visitation from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation will continue on Monday, July 6, 2020 beginning at 9:00 AM with the Mass of Christian Burial starting at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo, ND. The family asks that social distancing is respected at both services. Below is the link to watch the funeral mass https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4YrPwQFYBVlsLp55v2vHsw?view_as=subscriber

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  1. Very sorry to hear of Rudys passing. Many memories of old car associated activities with Rudy going back to the 1970s.
    Mike

  2. Rudy was my friend for so many years. I send my heartfelt sympathies to Lucy and the family. We have lost a true ND Pioneer and a great companion. He will be forever remembered for the gentleman that he was. Rudy, Rest in Peace.

  3. A wonderful man and brother-in -law. He always made people feel welcomed and loved. We will miss him.

  4. Rudy was very special guy and we will miss his big smile and laugh. We enjoyed playing pinocle with Rudy and Lucy through the years and going to car club events. Rudy will be missed. Rudy is in heaven looking down on you and the family and grandchildren that he loved so much.

  5. So many wonderful memories of Rudy and family. He was a giver to many and helped out our family in many ways. Rudy was very talented with fixing things, and passed his skills down to his children. He was a family man! And, we treasured the times we got to to spend with the family. Lots of laughs! We loved his vibrant personality, and enjoyed hearing about his projects, especially their classic cars and juke boxes. Always so full of energy! He definitely will be leaving his mark!

  6. Our deepest sympathies and condolences on Rudy’s passing. We’ve been your friends for so many years and have been together for many special occasions. We are saddened by his passing but know he is in a better place and at peace.

  7. Lucy, our condolences to you and the children. We will always cherish Rudy’s memory.
    Stefan De Boel Family

  8. So sorry to hear about Rudy. Always enjoyed car talk with him and the whole Radke family. He will be missed and not forgotten. His cars and trucks are now very precious keepsakes of his memory. The very best to the whole family. Jay Kleinjan

  9. So many wonderful memories to make us smile, he was a great guy and it was always so fun when we got together. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you the strength you need for the days ahead
    God Bless an Love to all❤️

  10. My sincere condolences.

    I had the pleasure of working with Rudy just before his retirement from Extension.

    Rudy was a fantastic guy. Kind, positive, supportive, and enthusiastic.

    I was very happy to spend the short time with him that I did.

  11. Our deepest condolences go out to Lucy and the entire family at this very difficult time. Rudy was a long time friend and mentor and was always a gentleman with the kindest heart. Rest In Peace my friend. All our love, Mike & Barb Hardy

  12. So sorry to hear of Rudy’s passing! Thoughts and prayers are with you Lucy and family!

  13. So sorry to learn this morning that Rudy had passed away, as the last time we visited I was looking for someone to put a small block chevy engine in my 1981 GMC Caballero…and he immediate response was Kyle can do that. As a one time Assistant County Agent before my REC career I became good friends with Rudy and always enjoyed talking about Agricultural Research. He was a Champion for North Dakota Ag and will be missed in a BIG WAY!!

  14. So Sorry for your loss, Lucy and family. I stayed with Mabe and Rudy during the week and some weekends to go to same school Jr did for my 3rd year of schooling. We were like brother and sister(we fought a lot). I’d follow him around and irritate him without even trying. Love, Pat Schroeder

  15. Rudy Radke was a nice person to know always had that big smile and was busy to work with. I have many good times with him in Fargo on NDSU Campus and also out and around ND.

    I extend my sympathies to Lucy and her family for losing a wonderful man like Rudy.

    Mort Mazaheri, NDSU Professor Emeritus and Former Fargo City Commissioner, Casa Grande, AZ

  16. Great memories of Rudy’s presence at the valley vintage events! Our condolences to the family.

  17. Lucy and family, So sorry to hear about Rudy. Many memories and many good visits. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
    Doug and LaRae

  18. Candy and I will sure miss the pinochle games and good times we had . Prayers for All of you and Rudy. He was a great friend and a good man.

  19. I was lucky to work with Rudy for many years while I was employed at the Chamber of Commerce and he served on the Chamber’s Ag Committee. I vaguely recall but I believe he was also my committee chair at one time also. He was always positive, had a great laugh and always willing to work hard for others. My sympathies to your family because it is extra hard to lose someone who has made such a big impact! RIP Rudy.

  20. Our sympathy to you Lucy and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  21. So very very sorry to learn of Rudy’s death! My heartfelt sympathy. I loved working with Rudy. His laugh was contagious!

  22. So sorry to hear of Rudy’s passing. He was a good man. Our prayers go out to Lucy and your family.

  23. Lucy, Kendall and Tiffany, Mitch and Karla, Kyle and Leah – Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. We have so many fond memories of Rudy (Lucy, too, of course) – car club events, playing cards, going out to eat, traveling to various places, etc. It all started when Rudy was President and Allan was Vice President of Valley Vintage Car Club.

  24. We are so sorry for your loss it was great growing up with Rudy in the same neighborhood he was such a kind and friendly guy!

  25. I had the pleasure of knowing Rudy and Lucy since they came to NDSU. We treasure the memories of working with both of them for many years. We share your sadness of the loss and wish you Gods healing grace in the years ahead. Don and Jo Anderson

  26. I am sorry for your loss. I will always remember the good times I had with Rudy. The meetings, committees, national meetings and especially the Pinochle games. He was a great friend and will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  27. What a beautiful tribute to Rudy. Together he and his beautiful wife Lucy created a beautiful family – Kendall, Karla, Kyle. As I watched the tribute to his life I saw all the love of the Radke family – Rudy’s love for Lucy and children and how proud he was of all of them. He will truly be missed. May God hold you close in this difficult time and may you find comfort knowing that Rudy is whole, at peace and watching over all of you. You made a lot of beautiful memories over the years and I know you will cherish and hold them close. He will be forever in your hearts.

  28. I have so many great memories of Rudy. From NDSU to many ag projects over the past 40 plus years. Just a great guy. Smart, fun and funny. And a true gentleman. He will be missed.
    Ken Knudsen

  29. Sorry to hear of Rudy’s passing. Have many fine memories over the years with both he and Lucy. Our condolences over the loss. May he rest in piece.

  30. Condolences to Lucy and Family, we have so many great memories of Rudy. We often joked about how a couple of guys met over some old Chevys and developed such a great friendship over the following years.What started with car talk led to treasured family friendships. We enjoyed all the meals, car shows, weekend Fargo visits and hospitality, our “Chevy seminars” to relaxing visits. We will always miss him!

    Eric and Joanne Braun

  31. Lucy & family, you are all in our hearts & thoughts during this time of sadness. Ray & I will always remember the many fun times we had together at the races when we were younger. Rudy will be with all of us in our hearts & the memories that were shared with him will be a part of our lives forever. ALL OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS TO YOU ALL Ray and Jean Schroeder

  32. Lucy, our sincere sympathies to you and your family for your loss. Rudy was a very special guy and a dedicated car enthusiast. Blessed be his name. Linda and Wes Briggs

  33. I first met Rudy Radke and his family through our mutual interest in classic cars and in particular the National Impala Association. Incredible to think, but that was now close enough to 20 years ago. If my memory serves me right it was around 2001.

    Regardless of the fact that we live on the opposite sides of the world, Rudy, his wife Lucy and their children Kendall, Karla and Kyle became very close and much valued friends. Over the years when my wife Arlette and I regularly travelled from Australia to the USA, we always included a visit to Fargo in North Dakota.

    During these visits, the Radke’s always warmly welcomed us. My most recent visit was just last year (2019) and during this visit I spent some considerable time with Rudy. I will always be grateful for that.

    Rudy remains in my memory as a man of high principles and honesty. His passion for automotive history and his knowledge on almost all subjects constantly amazed me. If our world were populated exclusively with people who lived by ‘Rudy Radke values’ then the world would be a better place. I am honoured to have been able to call Rudy Radke a close friend and my fond memories of him will constantly flood back whenever I am working on or driving our classic cars.

    To Lucy, Kendall & Tiffany, Karla & Mitch, Kyle & Leah, we wish to extend our most sincere sympathy for your loss. Rudy was an outstanding individual and he will be long remembered for the very positive impact he had on people around the world and as far as Melbourne, Victoria Australia (down under).

  34. Sorry about Rudy’s passing way to soon. We have many good memories of his time spent in Devils Lake and the friendship that developed.

  35. The passing of Rudy Radke is great loss to us all.
    As we would say in Australia ” A great Bloke” farewell and keep those Chevy wheels turning.

  36. I met Rudy through my uncle, Carl Kelsen, I had the absolute pleasure for spending time with him in Flint, MI at the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet. He was smart, generous, friendly, and full of knowledge about Chevrolets. My condolences to Kendall and Rudy’s whole family – Justin

  37. Lucy and family, you have our sincere condolences. these are most difficult days for you. We know Rudy is in Heaven having a marvelous time and one day we each will, join with him, never to be separated again. Though we all are missing him being with us here. Memories from our family, are; doing Holy Spirit 10 am mass together, then going out to the airport for breakfast. We also have fond memories of going to Shakeys Pizza in North Fargo together. Such fun times!! And we have been to a 50’s dance or two with Rudy and Lucy, again more fun!! Always a joy. Always fun to be around. We love each one of you Radke’s, you behold a special place in our hearts. May you allow the Lord to bring comfort and peace to your heart and may you once again, very soon experience JOY. God bless you. We love you dearly , Teresa, Todd, Troy, Danielle, Rebecca & Jacob


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