Betty Justina Pittz Radtke

OREGON-Betty J Radtke, age 88, of Oregon passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at Willow Pointe Memory Care in Verona. Mom was born on June 16, 1927, in Mineral Point, the daughter of Aloys and Kathryn (Palskill) Pittz. She was united in marriage to William E. Radtke on Nov. 26, 1949, in Mineral Point. They enjoyed playing cards, attending dances and family vacations to Hayward. As a family, we made chocolate malts and played touch football on many Sunday afternoons. After Dad's sudden death in 1972 at the young age of 45, Mom was left with raising their seven children. She nurtured and guided her children to discover their own spiritual paths and the real meaning of family. Mom so cherished each visit with her grandchildren and their children. She was simply Grandma GB to them. When Mom got sick, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren surrounded her, prayed with her and held her until she died. Deeply rooted in her Catholic faith, Mom was a long time member of Holy Mother of Consolation Catholic Church in Oregon where she taught CCD classes. She worked for many years as the snack bar manager at the Treasure Island store. Most folks will remember Mom for the many meals she served them at the Oregon Waterfall Restaurant. She also worked at St. Mary's Hospital in the food service area and later as a clerk at Kwik-Trip in Oregon. Mom enjoyed gardening, taking care of her home and was an excellent cook and baker. No family event was worth attending if she was not bringing her banana torte. Mom loved to travel, bowl and play bingo. She really enjoyed the Oregon Summerfest where she volunteered for many years. Mom is survived by her daughters, Linda (Mike) Reilly, Vicki (Bill) Rowe, Mary Kaye Radtke (Donna Miller), Jeannette (Chris) Weber and Pam (Dale) Christensen; sons, Bob (Michelle) Radtke and Mark (Maria) Radtke; grandchildren, Brent Lukens, Brian Lukens, Chris Lukens, Corey Reilly, Larry Radtke, Katie Radtke, Riley Radtke, LaNae Warnecke, Phillip Rowe, Alecia Jacobson, Justine Zingg, Amanda Weber, Megan Weber, Jason Christensen and Jesse Christensen; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sisters, Marian O'Brien and Sister Alice Pittz OP; brother, Raymond Pittz; and sisters-in-law, Janice (Ralph) Pittz and Marge Beer (Radtke). She was preceded in death by her parents, Aloys and Kathryn Pittz; step-mother, Lorna Pittz; husband, William E. Radtke; brother, Ralph Pittz; sisters-in law, Marilyn Pittz and Sister Irene Radtke; brother-in-law, Richard O'Brien; and special companions, Tony Glodowski and Marvin Kerl. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at HOLY MOTHER OF CONSOLATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 651 N. Main St., Oregon, with Father Gary Wankerl presiding, at 11:30 a.m., on Sat., March 12, 2016. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Oregon. A luncheon gathering will follow. Visitation will be held at the church, from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, our family requests a donation be made to Luke House or The Oregon Area Senior Center. To the wonderful caregivers at Willow Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care facilities and the Agrace HospiceCare team, our sincerest gratitude for your dedication and commitment to our mother. There is a place in heaven just for you. We will never forget. We will always remember our blue-eyed angel. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515