In Memory of Arlo Dean Radke

Arlo “Dean” Radke, age 91, of Galva, Iowa, took his Lord and Saviors hand on May 24, 2025, at the Holstein Senior Living of Holstein, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., with visitation held one hour prior, Friday, May 30, 2025, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Galva, Iowa. Rev. Paul D. Egger will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Galva, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

     Arlo Dean Radke was born September 29, 1933, to Albert and Dorretta (Zoch) Radke, at home on the farm north of Galva, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Galva, where he remained a lifelong member. Arlo served as usher, elder, trustee, financial secretary, and Sunday School Superintendent.

     Arlo graduated from Galva High School with the class of 1951 and commenced in farming with his father.  He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in England.  He returned home and continued to farm.  He served as a director at the Galva Union Elevator for several years. 

     On January 7, 1968, he married Margaret Klemmensen in the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Moville, Iowa.  They settled on the family farm outside of Galva. The couple were blessed with two sons, Gregory Dean and Kevin Matthew.

     Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 57 years, Margaret; sons Gregory and Kevin (Sara); granddaughters Jessica and Julia; one brother Lee (Beverly); three brothers-in-law Wayne (Betty) Klemmensen, Earl (Carole) Klemmensen and Ramon (Rosemary) Klemmensen; many nieces and nephews.

     Arlo was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Dorretta Radke; parents-in-law Fred and Edna Klemmensen; brothers Virgil, Kenneth, and Wendell; sister Elsie (Wilbert Otto); sisters-in-law Elmeree Radke, Mary Radke, and Shirley Klemmensen; brother-in-law Daniel Klemmensen; niece Penny Radke; and nephew Duane Otto.