Doris Joyce Radtke

Joyce Williams Radtke died Wednesday, July 8th of congestive heart failure. Joyce was born in Diamond, Ohio on September 8th, 1932 to Orwell and Inez Williams. She grew up on a family farm in rural Ohio, but saw more of the world than most people do in two lifetimes. She married William Paul Radtke (LTC. Army retired) on August 12, 1951 and traveled with him to multiple locations over his 32 year career.

Over the years Joyce and Bill raised five children as they moved from Ohio to Virginia back to Ohio to Panama to North Carolina to Georgia to California to Okinawa to Kansas to Virginia to Thailand to Illinois, and back to Kansas. Joyce was always a “worker” and volunteered with church, Little League, dance, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and throughout the community everywhere she lived. A natural born organizer and leader, she was affectionately referred to as “Auntie Ramrod” by family and friends. But, she wasn’t “all work and no play”. Joyce had a very dry wit and loved a good “verbal sparring”. She was also an absolute killer on crossword puzzles and needlework.

Joyce will be sorely missed by all those whose lives she touched.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Brandon Woods Dining Room, 1501 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. Margaret Episcopal Church, Lawrence, Kansas, Lawrence Humane Society, or Lawrence Memorial Oncology Clinic and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

10 Condolences

  1. robyn herzog on July 9, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    So sorry heat bout joyce I love her smile that will light up the room wats brighting my dsy when I see her and bill .in dining room she was charming and allways happy god bless robyn herzog



  2. Kim Steffen on July 9, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    I will miss taking part in her care. she was a joy to talk to. I loved her spirit and fiesty attitude. She was a wonderful person to be around and will be greatly missed.



  3. Mary Gordon on July 10, 2015 at 7:03 pm

    Dear Bill and family,

    I am very sad for your loss of Joyce. She was a wonderful lady and obviously was a “doer” and a helper.

    My prayers are with you,

    Love,
    Mary Gordon



  4. Brian and Marilyn Horsch on July 11, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    Bill and Family,
    We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Joyce was a terrific person and we really enjoyed the time we had as your neighbors before you moved to town.



  5. Bob & Phyllis Runion on July 26, 2015 at 8:32 am

    Our condolences and prayers go out to Bill and the family. She was a great person and we will miss her wit and charm immensely.



  6. Marilyn and Ben Tilghman on July 27, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Bill, we thought of you when we read the notice about Joyce in the Journal-World. She was a bright, witty, and altogether good person and she surely will be missed. You have our sympathy and good wishes.

    Ben and Marilyn Tilghman



  7. David and Orean Kent on July 27, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    Dear Bill,
    Our fond memories of Joyce, and you go back to Leavenworth and St. Paul’s, then to Lawrence, St. Margaret’s, and MOAA. Your greetings were always warm and our conversations were lively. Joyce was the perfect example of an Army spouse, and we shall always remember her as a good friend. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!
    Fondly, David and Orean Kent



  8. Mike Weston on July 30, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    It was an honor and blessing to serve the Radtke’s when I worked at Brandon Woods. I especially enjoyed our conversations a finer couple would be hard to name. My sincerest sympathies to the family and especially to you Mr. Radtke May God comfort you during this time and the days ahead



  9. Kathy & Stephen Egbert on August 8, 2015 at 11:19 am

    We have found memories of Joyce and we are glad we got to know Joyce & Bill while their daughter Ann was living in Lawrence. After Ann moved from Lawrence, I would stop by and leave them some fresh produce from our garden occasionally. Joyce always invited me in and we would have nice little visits about her family and what everyone was doing. She was very proud of all of her children and grandchildren and loved to talk about them. She always made us feel like we were just part of her family. We know she has returned to live with our Father in Heaven and that she is at peace and happy. We know you will all see her again some day. Knowing this doesn’t change the fact that we grieve for our loved ones because we miss them. We pray for you family during this time of transition.



  10. Mary Margaret and Ken Rowen on August 12, 2015 at 9:58 am

    Bill, we sent you a sympathy card in care of Brandon Woods Ct., the only address we had for you, and it came back. We wanted you to know that we were in South Dakota for Ken’s brother’s 80th birthday party on August 8 or we would have been at Joyce’s memorial service. The picture with her obit really shows the sparkle in her eyes. You were blessed with a good companion for many years. Our prayers are with you and your family.



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