----Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 03/04/1926

Radtke, August R. (1 JUN 1856 - 23 Feb 1926)

August Rudolph Radtke, whose death was chronicled in the Phonograph last week, was born June 1, 1856, in Germany, thus being 69 years, 8 months and 22 days old when he died, Feb. 23, 1926, of apoplexy. He came to the U. S. in 1887 and went directly to Sheboygan, Wis. He was married to Oltelia Klickman, at Fond du Lac, Wis., Aug. 22, 1878, which union was blessed with three children who survive him. His wife died on June 4, 1917. In 1880 they moved to Colby, Wis. and settled on the farm now occupied by A. M. Staples of the town of Colby, Clark County. In 1915, they sold their farm and moved to Abbotsford, at which place he died. On Sept. 28, 1920, he was married to Mrs. Christine Boss.

Funeral services were held at Abbotsford Lutheran Church, Rev. V. A. Keifer officiating, Friday, Feb. 26, and interment made in the Colby Cemetery.

Besides his wife, his journey to the distant shore is mourned by three children, Mrs. Casper Heimes, Colby, Mrs. Louis F. Frome, Colby, Mrs. H. Franz, Abbotsford, one brother, Charles Radtke, Colby, one sister, Mrs. Fred Dins, Colby, and by 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

With the passing of Mr. Radtke, we must strike off another name from the roll of our early pioneers who, by diligent work, built this fine country. He was a man of excellent habits, fine moral character and commanded the respect of all sects and classes of people as the attendance at his funeral fully verified. And now, as he sleeps, memory takes up the harp of life, and, smiting the strings, finds that his virtues melt into music.