Jean L. Radtke, age 85, of Mahnomen, MN, died Sunday, June 6, 2010 at MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, ND.

Jean L. Paskewitz, the daughter of Samuel and Rose (Johnson) Paskewitz, was born on May 14, 1925, in Todd County, Minnesota. At the age of two she moved with her family to Pleasanton, CA and lived there until the 8th grade. Her family then moved to the Mahnomen area where she was a graduate of the Mahnomen High School Class of 1943. During World War II, Jean helped with the war effort repairing military radios in Alameda, CA. After that she attended and later graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing. She worked for three years at Gorgas Hospital in the Panama Canal Zone. She then returned to the Mahnomen area and married Delbert Radtke on October 18, 1953 and they lived on a farm near Beaulieu, MN. After her marriage, she worked part-time at the Fosston Hospital and later on at the Mahnomen Hospital. She became the Director of Nursing when the Mahnomen Nursing Center opened and she also continued her education to include a degree as a nurse practitioner. She continued to work at the nursing home until her retirement in the 1980's. Jean continued to live on the family farm even after the death of her husband, Delbert in 2003.

Jean loved to read cookbooks, newspapers, magazines, political commentary, westerns, nutritional books and history. One of her favorite pastimes was gardening; she used the fruits of her garden along with knowledge gained from reading her many cookbooks to feed everyone who walked in the door. Jean was an active member of her church, serving on the church council and was also involved with many groups: Council for Aging, GFWC/Library Club, Christian Women's Group, the Red Hatters, and Mahnomen County Historical Society.

She is survived by a brother, Paul (Stella) Paskewitz of Danville, IL; a sister, Mavis (Gordon "Bud") Klabunde of Waubun, MN; her five children: Mary Radtke of Eagan, MN, John (Connie) Radtke of Mahnomen, Joyce (George) Splonskowski of Mineola, IA, Donald (Valerie) Radtke of Lengby, MN, and Lee (Donna) Radtke of Bejou; 13 grandchildren; Sarah (Adam) Johnson, David (Shannon) Splonskowski, Jacob (Brittni) Radtke, Johnathon (Vanessa) Splonskowski, Rebecca (Brandon) Johnson, Justin Radtke, Brandon Radtke, Neal Radtke, James Radtke, Jenna Radtke, Lukas Radtke, Zachery Radtke, Matthew Radtke. Jean was blessed with six great grandchildren: Deon, Vanessa, Alex, Julia, Elijua, and Peyton.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, Samuel and Rose (Johnson) Paskewitz; and her husband, Delbert E. Radtke.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 8:00 pm, on Wednesday, June 9, at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home, Mahnomen.


Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at First Lutheran Church in Mahnomen. Pastor John Lee is the officiant with Diane Kochmann as organist. Special music will be provided by Jenna Radtke and the readers are Val Radtke, Zackery Radtke and Matthew Radtke. Pallbearers will be Jean's grandsons: David Splonskowski, Jacob Radtke, Johnathon Splonskowski, Justin Radtke, Brandon Radtke, Neal Radtke, James Radtke, Lukas Radtke, Zackery Radtke and Matthew Radtke. Placing of the pall will be done by Jean's granddaughters: Sarah Johnson and Rebecca Johnson.

Interment will be at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Mahnomen