PAGE 18 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NORTHERN CURRENTS, SECTION B - OCTOBER 5, 2011
CHURCH NEWS/OBITUARIES Ruth Ann Radke Faith Lutheran youth had their own Shanty Town GRANTSBURG – On Saturday, Sept. 17, 22 youth and three adult chaperones spent the night outside on the grounds at Faith Lutheran. They slept in cardboard boxes or simply spent their night “under the stars” and experienced a little rain in the early-morning hours on Sunday. Faith Lutheran Grantsburg youth were able to collect $550 in offerings which will go to the local Habitat for Humanity. While participating in this event, many wondered what it would have been like if they really had to do this day after day. Their knowledge of, and compassion for, the homeless was expanded. All who took part quickly real-
ized that they had access to so many things that those that are truly homeless would not have easy access to. The youth completed several tasks for the church, they went to individuals homes with “Will Work for Food” signs and completed tasks for those individuals. They also baked muffins and made crispy cereal bars, which were shared with members of the congregation on Sunday morning. It was an experience for the youth of Faith Lutheran Church to have just a small picture of what it means to be homeless. - submitted
Twenty-two youth and three adult chaperones from Faith Lutheran Church in Grantsburg received a small experience of what it means to be homeless on Saturday, Sept. 17. – Photos submitted
Ruth Ann Radke, 58, passed away on Sept. 28, 2011, at home in Balsam Lake, surrounded by her loving family. Ruth was born in Rochester, Minn., on Aug. 6, 1953, the daughter of Tracy and Adeline (Luehmann) Lockman. Ruth is a graduate of John Marshall High School and Minnesota State University – Winona, with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. She was a registered nurse in Saint Paul and the Twin Cities metro area for over 30 years, working in maternity, hospice and home-care nursing before retiring from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota as a nurse-educator in the Healthy Start Prenatal Support program. Ruth met Terry Radke while a student in Winona and they married in 1976. They had three daughters, Sondra, Sabrina and Kristin, and made their home in Woodbury, Minn. Ruth put her family first and delighted in her role as a wife, mother and grandmother. Ruth made friends everywhere she went and shared her love and talent of scrapbooking, photography, food and fellowship with everyone. Ruth was diagnosed with ALS in 2008, and, through her journey, inspired everyone who came into contact with her by her faith, grace and positive attitude. She fought her disease bravely and lived every minute as fully as possible. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Tracy and Adeline Lockman. Ruth leaves to celebrate her memory, husband, Terry; daughters, Sondra (Shawn) Koster, Sabrina (Michelle Hipwell) Radke and Kristin (Eric) Larsen; grandsons, Liam and Duncan Koster, siblings; Geri (Fritz) Fashing, Kathy Liepold, Mary Kinsella, and Richard (Sylvia) Lockman, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m., at the East Balsam Baptist Church, 1816 CTH I, Balsam Lake. Ruth’s family will greet visitors at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. The family would like to invite their guests to join them for fellowship and luncheon following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the ALS Association or Adoray Hospice. Ruth asks to be remembered as someone who loved life and her husband and family fiercely. She was a loving wife to Terry, the best mother to Sondra, Bree and KC and the greatest grandma for Liam and Duncan. Ruth loved an excuse for a party. The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.
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Roger Eugene Beecroft, 59, Shell Lake, went to heaven on Oct. 3, 2011, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire. Roger was born on May 17, 1952, in Cumberland. Roger grew up in Indian Creek. He attended the Indian Creek Grade School and graduated from Frederic High School. Roger was a country boy. He loved hunting, fishing, his mules and Belgium horses. Roger enjoyed listening to his wife play the harp and spent a lot of time with his grandson, Levi. He enjoyed the simple things in life; the beauty and quiet in nature. This was also his personality, he had a simple approach to life and put great emphasis and focus on God and his family. Roger was a “gentle” giant. He was the kind of person you wanted to get to know and be around. Never was a harsh word spoken or a kindness overlooked. You were drawn to Roger because of his tender and kind heart. Roger was a well driller by occupation, and his business thrived because of his honest and ethical standards. Roger married the love of his life, Sandi Plunkett, and God blessed them with two children. Roger was devoted to his wife, children and grandbabies. He was an indulgent Grandpa. He was never too busy to spend time with his grandchildren; whether it was horseback riding or reading them a story. Roger was a man of prayer and belief that God was in control. He put God first in everything. Roger was a member of the Shell Lake Full Gospel Church. Roger was a walking testimony of faith and what it meant to be a Christian. Roger is survived by his beloved wife, Sandi; his children, Jessica and Jeremy.; his grandbabies, Levi, Alicia, Ali, Austin and Jackson; parents, Clarence and Marie Beecroft; siblings, Linda (Harry) Buckwalter, Gary (Donna) Beecroft, Marlene (Mark) Beecroft and David (Shirley) Beecroft; Uncle William and Aunt Dorthea Beecroft and Uncle Eugene and Aunt Bonnie Beecroft; many nieces, nephews and cousins. The visitation will be Friday, Oct. 7, from 4 – 8 p.m. and the funeral on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Shell Lake Full Gospel Church. Skinner Funeral home of Shell Lake has been entrusted with the arrangements.