Roland “Rollie” Richard Radtke

Roland “Rollie” Richard Radtke, 84, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.

Rollie, the son of Arthur and Genevieve Radtke, was born in Rothschild, on October 30, 1938. He married the love of his life, Ruth Bruss on August 18, 1962 and was blessed with 59 wonderful years of marriage. Together they raised four boys, one girl, and multiple foster children.

After graduating from high school, Rollie attended UW-Platteville. After college, Rollie landed a job as a high school industrial arts teacher in Brillion, where he created many memories and lifelong friendships. With a love of farming and the outdoors, Rollie decided to leave the teaching profession. Ruth and he decided to buy a family farm in Loyal. After many years on the farm, Rollie and Ruth had to move to their cabin in Minocqua due to health issues. Even though they left many memories behind in Loyal, they quickly made a home on Buckskin Lake, where Rollie could fish to his heart’s content. Throughout their lifetime, Rollie and Ruth found a love of traveling and meeting new friends. After retirement, they headed south to Texas where they were state park camp hosts. Texas brought them countless lifelong friends.

Rollie had various hobbies that kept him busy on the lake. He was an avid hunter, including deer, bear, duck, and turkey, and was a talented woodworker. He spent countless hours in his shop and was always looking for the next project. His woodworking legacy is left behind in the many wooden fixtures he constructed for his church and the cabinets he created for various friends and family. When he fell ill and ended up in a rehabilitation facility, through sheer determination, he got his last wish of one more summer at home on the lake to join in the things he loved, which included catching fish. Rollie dedicated much of his life to giving back to his community and church. In his younger years, he spent countless hours as a scout master, taking many Boy Scouts to the Boundary Waters, a wrestling coach and a foster parent. His willingness to share his knowledge and time has left a lasting impression on many young people. Later in life, Rollie and Ruth spent 12 years volunteering on the Minocqua Fire and Rescue team. Both Rollie and Ruth also volunteered with Goodwill and Lakeland Pantry throughout the last couple of years.

Rollie was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church. Throughout the years, he was involved in church leadership, men’s club, and most notably the building committee. He was instrumental in the construction of the new church.

Rollie is survived by his five children, Roy (Sue), Marie (Jeff), Russ (Deann), Rodney (Michelle), and Randy (Mary Jo); 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, his parents, Arthur (Chief) and Genevieve (Gen) Radtke, and his foster son, Bob Wade. Rollie will be greatly missed by his family.

A celebration of Rollie’s life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Peace Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae. Visitation will be at 10:30 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:30 a.m., lunch will be held after the service. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Compassus Hospice of Arbor Vitae, 1571 Hwy. 51 N, Suite C, Arbor Vitae, WI. 

Bolger Cremation & Funeral Services is assisting the family, www.bolgerfuneral.com to share condolences.