Elizabeth “Betty” Jean (Muelken) Radanke
The family of Elizabeth “Betty” Jean (Muelken) Radanke hearts are saddened with the loss of their mom, grandma and GG (great-grandma), when she passed unexpectedly at the age of 84, on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at her home in Prior Lake.
The family will greet guests on Wednesday, July 1 from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and also one hour prior to the mass. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, July 2 at 11 am, at Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake, MN. Father Tom Walker will preside, with her grandchildren being the pall bearers. Betty will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Prior Lake, MN.
Benjamin and Genevieve (Loftus) Muelken received Betty as a Christmas blessing on December 23, 1930. She was the 2nd of their three daughters gracing this world in the family home in Prior Lake, MN. From the start, she was the Tomboy of the girls, for Betty always wanted to be outside. At the young age of 11, she learned how to drive and from that point on would help her father on the milk route. Betty attended grade school in Prior Lake and later graduated from Shakopee High School.
While on the milk route, Betty’s life was enriched by meeting her future husband, Emmett August Radanke. They started courting and on August 29, 1953 at the Church of St. Michael, Betty and Emmett became husband and wife. Settling their roots in Prior Lake, they raised four precious daughters, Jean, Joyce, Audrey and Becky.
For over 46 years, Betty embraced the role of a wife, until the passing of Emmett on November 22, 1999. She also enjoyed the role of mother, grandma and GG Betty. She was the biggest cheerleader at all their activities. Even when the girls were growing up, Betty’s meticulous yard became the neighborhood’s play yard, with her being part of the action. She also embraced her faith as a dedicated and lifelong member of the Church of St Michael. Over the years, Betty hand made hundreds of rosaries for the church.
After retiring from 20 years of service with Westwood Elementary School in the Title 1 program, Betty kept a very active life. She enjoyed bowling, playing cards and volunteering at St. Francis Hospital. In Betty’s late 60’s, she even learned how to ski and in her early 70’s still enjoyed the family bike trips. What was most impressive was that Betty still enjoyed being outdoors playing golf and had a tee time scheduled in the coming week. She lived 84 years and was a great example of how to live life to the fullest.
Betty graced everyone she knew and loved with her spunky, witty personality. You could always count on her to have the perfect saying that no one had heard of, yet it perfectly fit the situation. Betty was lovable, classy and determined through and through. Being a family oriented woman, she never hesitated to come to the aid of family and friends whenever needed.
Forever loved and forever missed by four daughters, Jean (Gary) Lamusga, Joyce (Jim) Conroy, Audrey (Bruce) Wise, Becky (Ahmed) Davis; grandchildren, Lindsey (Dan) Morton, Nate (Hilary) Lamusga, Courtney (Brandon) Grapper, Stefanie Lamusga, Ben (Katie) Wise, Whitney (Chad) Kucza; great-grandchildren, Eidee M., Norah L., Lucy M., Amelia L., Camille M., Ayla G., Emma W., Eloise L., and soon to be baby Kucza and baby Lamusga; brother-in-law Bo Simpkins; other loving relatives and devoted friends.
Betty is greeted in heaven by her husband, Emmett; parents, Ben and Gen; sisters, Esther (Hartmann) Wagner and Donna Simpkins.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Radanke family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
