William D. Radtke

William D. Radtke 80, Wausau, died Saturday December 13, 2003 at Community Health Care Wausau Hospital. He was born March 6, 1923 in Wausau, son of the late William and Gertrude (Wex) Radtke. On August 2, 1947 he married Geraldine L. Glover at St. Mary Catholic Church, Wausau. She survives. In 1941 he joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II, the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. He was honored for his service to our country with the Bronze Star, three Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal. He retired as a Major in 1963. Following his military service, William was employed with the U.S. Postal service for 25 years, retiring as a supervisor. Active in church and civic organization, Bill was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church and their St. Thomas More Club, the Knights of Columbus, George Schreier Council No. 1069 and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, Pere Rene Menard General Assembly, both of Wausau. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Burns Post No. 388, Wausau, the Disabled American Veterans, Graveen Chapter No. 64, and the United Commercial Travelers. He was a past member of the Wausau Water and Sewer Committee, was past secretary of the Marathon county Workshop and served as Vice President of the Marathon County Labor Council. Survivors include his wife, Geraldine Radtke, Wausau, four sons, Col. William A. (Bonnie) Radtke, Plantation, Fla., Robert Radtke, Seoul, Korea, Bruce (Melissa) Radtke, Dubuque, Iowa, Major Mark (Lorraine) Radtke, Germany, four grandsons, Andrew, Jason, Corey & Nathaniel and a granddaughter, Alyssa; one brother, James Radtke, Wausau, a sister-in-law, Inge Radtke, Houston, Tex., two aunts, Bette Nass, Wausau, Rita Picken, Chicago, a cousin, Kitty Picken, two nieces, Mary (Don) Wanie and Patty (Todd) Eckers. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, George (Janet) Radtke and Francis Radtke and a sister, Margaret. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Weds. December 17, 2003 at the Church of St. Anne, Wausau. Rev. Steven Brice will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memoerial Park, Wausau, where full military honors will be conducted by members of the VFW, Burns Post No. 388, Wausau. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Weds. from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home. Online condolances at www.petersonkraemer.com