David Emmett Radanke, age 75, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on January 15, 2024. A Christian Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with visitation time from 9:00 – 10:45 AM, all at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 5634 Luther Rd SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372. Pastor Greg DeMuth will preside. David will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Prior Lake.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by the family in honor of David.
David was born on March 16, 1948 to Loren and Dorothy (Stier) Radanke in New Prague, MN. The First of 4 children. Growing up David enjoyed spending time with extended family traveling, fishing, and hunting. At the age of 16 David started with Sears, Roebuck, and Co. in the catalog department. David graduated from Prior Lake High School in 1966, after being named MVP on the football team.
In 1969 David met Faye Siegel through some coworkers he drove home one night. It was love at first sight. On April 24, 1971 they were united in marriage at St Paul’s Lutheran church in Prior Lake where they were able to plant their roots and cultivate the ideal of their family farm. David was blessed with 3 children and eventually five grandchildren. Family has always been his focus, and he enjoyed spending time with each and every member, no matter if they were blood or chosen. David favored spending time farming, fishing, hunting, riding ATV’s, camping, and traveling all around the US with his family.
After Sears, Roebuck, and Co. closed the catalog department, David was able to work closer to home at C.H. Carpenter Lumber, until he was able to semi-retire. Because of his social nature he decided to drive for Busse student transportation.
David’s faith was important to him and was very involved with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church his whole life. He sang at funerals and weddings, teaching Sunday School, served as a trustee, was on the cemetery board, and even did custodial work for some time.
A selfless and generous man, David is loved and will be missed by his wife, Faye Radanke; children, Malissa (Jim) Dronen, Jeana (Jared) Novotny, and Michael (Stephanie) Radanke; grandchildren, Jeremy Novotny, Jaydan Novotny, Lauren Radanke, Julia Radanke, and Kathryn Radanke; sister, Jeanette Radanke; brother, Dale (Mary) Radanke; sister-in-law, Lori Radanke; and many other loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Dorothy Radanke; and brother, Darrell Radanke.
