Service Information
Shirley A. Radtke, age 73, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021, at her home in Hutchinson.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment in the St. Anastasia Catholic Church Cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral chapel.
Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.
Obituary
Shirley Ann Radtke was born on April 20, 1947, in Carroll, Iowa. She was the daughter of Denis and Marjorie (Staley) Wurzer. Shirley was baptized as an infant at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Willey, Iowa. She was later adopted by Wilmer Knutson during his marriage to Marjorie. She was confirmed in her catholic faith at Immaculate Conception in Cherokee, Iowa. She received her education in Cherokee and graduated with the Immaculate Conception School class of 1965. Shirley furthered her education for one year at the American Institute of Business in Sioux City, Iowa.
On August 4, 1966, she was united in marriage to Robert Ehrig at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, Iowa. Together they shared two children, Dana and Lisa. On September 16, 1995, Shirley was united in marriage to Douglas Radtke at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Doug brought his sons, Ken and Mike, into the family, and together shared all four children. Shirley and Doug first resided in Luverne, Minnesota with Shirley relocating from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1998 they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. They began transitioning to a permanent move to Hutchinson, Minnesota in 2008 living in apartments first in Brandon, South Dakota, and then Luverne, Minnesota. They made the move to Hutchinson in 2010. They shared 25 years of marriage.
Shirley was employed at Cole Papers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as an Operations Manager and also worked for the Sioux Falls school district.
She enjoyed dancing, planning, and organizing singles activities when she lived in Sioux Falls. Shirley took great pride in being a homemaker. Her grandchildren later became her focus and gave her great joy. She happily attended every event her grandkids were in and was their biggest supporter.
Shirley passed away on Monday, January 18, 2021, at Woodstone Senior Living Community in Hutchinson, at the age of 73 years. Blessed be her memory.
Shirley is survived by her:
Husband, Douglas Radtke of Hutchinson, MN;
Children, Dana Ehrig and his wife, Jennifer, of Baldwinsville, NY,
Lisa Ellefson and her husband, Tim, of Hutchinson, MN,
Ken Radtke of Westhope, ND,
Mike Radtke of Westhope, ND;
Grandchildren, Ian Ehrig, Zachary Ehrig, Owen Ehrig, Erica Ellefson, Annika Ellefson, Myah Radtke, Connor Radtke;
Great-Grandchildren, Ayden Ehrig, Avalynn Ehrig;
Siblings, Linda Ambrose and her husband, Tom, of Fairbury, IL,
Don Knutson of Cherokee, IA,
Nancy McLaughlin and her husband, Jim Helget, of Marcus, IA;
Many other relatives and friends.
Shirley is preceded in death by her Parents, Denis Wurzer and Marjorie Brandt.
Al and Linda Kruse says
Our sincere sympathies. Shirley will certainly be missed. She was a really special person who provided lots of great memories.
Carolyn and Cindy Ehrig says
I am So Very Sorry for Your Loss!! My Thoughts and Prayers are with you All !!
Donna Tompkins says
I will miss Shirley. I met Shirley at Noah’s Ark. We became friends after getting aquatinted at the first New Years Eve party and later attending the first Buddy Holly bus trip. We had so much fun planning and attending singles functions. I had retired in January and hoped to visit Doug & Shirley – opportunity missed. Hugs to Doug and her family and friends.
Serena Staley Price says
Growing up, Shirley was always so joyful and funny. I remember her laugh. And she was always so sincere. Love all my cousins. And will miss Shirley every time the Staley clan gathers.
Michelle Townsend says
Our deepest sympathies to all of you . Love you all – The Townsends
Devin and Christy Duncan says
I am so very sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. She took such wonderful care of our daughter, Reese, when she was a baby. We always talked about how she was an angel that loved on Reese. Prayers for your family.
Jerome Kruger says
I was sadden to hear that Shirley had passed away. I have many fond memories of the many years that I had the pleasure of doing her hair and the friendship that we shared. She will be greatly missed. My Deepest Sympathy to her family.
Bert Keiser says
Doug & Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing. I worked with her at Hawthorne Elementary School in Sioux Falls. It was a busy place but we also had lots of fun. Seems like we could always find something to giggle about. She was a special lady. I know she will be missed terribly but know that everyone is in my thoughts and prayers.
Charlene Myers says
I knew Shirley through the Social Singles group outings. She had a beautiful smile and always greeted others warmly. I am sorry for her passing. Condolences to the family.
Brenda Beninga says
I feel so blessed to have worked with Shirley in the office at Hawthorne Elementary School in Sioux Falls. She was an amazing co-worker and was always willing to go the extra mile when anyone needed help. Shirley was a wonderful friend and a shining example of how to find the good in each day we are given. After she moved, she continued to stay in touch when she made visits back to Sioux Falls, and I cherished those shared lunches when our schedules would allow us to get together. My thoughts and prayers are with her family; she always spoke of you with so much pride.
Brett Maxon says
I am sorry to hear Shirley has passed away. We were colleagues at Cole Papers. She was an absolute professional. She was first a Mother and she kindly helped us out with my young family and we will for ever be grateful and appreciate and remember her for that.
Myrna Blackford-Hotchkiss says
Doug and family, Deepest sympathy to each of you. My first weekend outing with the Sioux Falls singles was the Buddy Holly bus trip. We sure had alot of fun and cherished memories over the years. Shirley, Donna and Sandy were great at planning the activities. They could laugh and giggle and yet make sure everyone was welcomed and comfortable. Shirley loved her family. Then Doug started coming around. I could see the love they had for each other. Shirley’s smile I will always remember. I have many fond and cherished memories.
May you find peace and God’s presentence with his arm around you during this time.
Helen Loeffler says
Shirley worked as a clerical sub a couple times in my department for the Sioux Falls School District. She was a delight to work with, easy to train and we just in general had fun together. My prayers and sympathy to your family.
Mary Welch says
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Shirley for years at Cole Paper Co. She cared for our two children on many occasions. mainly when we had to fly out of town for a wedding. She was pretty terrific. such an infectious laugh! i am truly sadden by her passing. deepest sympathy!
Cheryl Johnson says
My family lived across the street from Shirley & Bob in Briggs Trailer Court in Cherokee. My twins, Shelley & Holly, played with Dana on our little playground when they were 2 years old. We stayed in touch through so many of life’s highs & lows and we always talked Christmas Eve day. The Johnsons loved Shirley! She was a wonderful homemaker, supportive friend, devout Christian, devoted mother, and so very fun. Life was not always kind or fair to her, but she maintained a positive, hopeful attitude. My prayer is that my husband (her friend) met her at heaven’s entrance. Love you forever, Shirley.