Rochelle N. Radunz

Obituary

Rochelle was born on April 13, 1958, at Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, the third of seven children to Howard and Beatrice Wallmow. Rochelle grew up on the family farm in Ellsworth Township, where she learned the values of hard work, faith, and family. She attended District 66 country school and later the Litchfield School District. Active in her youth, Rochelle participated in Luther League and 4-H, played organ for church, and enjoyed softball—a passion she carried throughout her life as both a player and a fan. She especially loved cheering on her son’s teams and rooting for the Minnesota Twins.

Rochelle worked at the Litchfield Golf Club in her teens, sparking her lifelong love of cooking. After graduating from Litchfield High School, she studied culinary arts at Willmar Vocational Technical Institute. She worked at Country Kitchen in Hutchinson before beginning her 35-year career with 3M in 1980. Following retirement in 2015, Rochelle continued to stay active with part-time work, most recently as a school bus driver in Hutchinson and Litchfield.

Family was always the center of Rochelle’s life. She married Steve Puckett in 1985, and together they raised their son, Tyler. Later, she experienced the joy of being reunited with her daughter, Raeann, and welcomed her and her husband, Chad, with open arms. On July 28, 2012, she married Brian Radunz, with whom she shared 13 years filled with car shows, festivals, fishing trips, and many special moments together.

Her greatest treasures were her grandchildren—Alex, Annika, and Beatrice Fleur—as well as her step-grandchildren, Gavin, Quinn, Colton, and Caden, who filled her life with endless joy and laughter. She especially cherished hosting family gatherings, where her home overflowed with food, laughter, and love.

Rochelle will be remembered for her loyalty, her hardworking spirit, and her quiet strength. She was known as the “scoop-keeper” of the family, always curious, always connected, and always ready to step in and help when needed. Her legacy of love and dedication lives on in her children, grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her.

Rochelle is survived by her husband, Brian Radunz; her children, Tyler (Rokaya) and Raeann (Chad); her step-children Zac (Kayla) and Elizabeth (Luke); her grandchildren, Alex, Annika, and Beatrice Fleur; her step-grandchildren, Gavin, Quinn, Colton, and Caden; her siblings, Rhea, Randa, Rollo, Robert, and Ryan; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Beatrice Wallmow, and her brother Reid Wallmow.