Sharon "Shari" Radke
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Sharon "Shari" Ruth Radke, 75, of Rochester, passed away unexpectedly at St. Mary's Hospital on December 22, 2019.
Shari was born on December 11, 1944 to Arval and Ruth (Voll) Witter. She went to country school through 4th grade. In 5th grade she started in Stewartville School where she graduated in 1962. She went on to earn her registered nurse diploma from Methodist - Kahler School of Nursing in 1966. In 1987 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Health Science from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.
Shari started her nursing career at Methodist Hospital in the Post Anesthesia Room rising to the rank of Head Nurse. She later moved to the Urgent Care department as Nurse Manger. Following the closing of urgent care, she served in administrative capacities at Mayo. She retired in 2013. After retirement she delighted in being the lunch lady at Byron Intermediate School.
Shari was an active member of Homestead United Methodist Church, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and was a staunch Byron Bears supporter. She was very proud of her work for The Woman's Shelter, The Eagles Auxiliary and The American Legion Auxiliary.
On October 8, 1966 she married Eugene Radke at the United Methodist Church. Shari worked tirelessly arranging the Gene Radke Golf Tournament raising thousands of dollars for cancer research and scholarships at Byron High School.
She is survived by her sons, Troy (Wendy) Radke of Las Vegas, NV, Jamie Radke of Rochester, and Ryan (Holly) Radke of Byron; brothers, Dwayne (Dorothy) Witter of Zumbrota, Ronald (Wendy Dunkley) of Motley, and Keith (Joan) Witter of Rochester, 9 grandchildren Gracyn, Karleigh, Owen, Henry, Shea, Brittany, Alexa, Maryn and Merrick; and one great-grandchild Elouise. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Gene.