Eileen Radke

Eileen Joy Radke, the only child, was born to Walter Gustav Sprick and Bertha Blanche Kingston in Julesburg, Colorado on August 3, 1935.

Eileen attended local schools and graduated from high school in 1953. She had her eye on Bernard James Radke and asked him to the Junior Dance. After graduation in 1953, they became engaged. Eileen went to school in Denver while Bernard stayed home to work on family farm.

Bernard & Eileen married on February 22, 1955 in Julesburg, Colorado. Living in Denver while Eileen finished cosmetology school, they then moved back to Julesburg in the fall of 1955. They had five children in 8 years. Elisa Ann, James Kent, Gregory Alan who died on September 20,1985, Michael Lee, and David Paul who died on November 9,1985. Needless to say, our mother was a very busy lady!

In 1965, the family moved to Charleston, South Carolina for Bernard's new managerial job with Burger King and then moved to Springfield, Missouri in 1971 to continue with Burger King.

Eileen was a loving and dedicated mother and wife. Mom decided that being a full-time mom and chauffeur wasn't enough, so over a period of years, she operated a home day care, worked retail at Heers Department Store, Hess and Culbertson Jewelry, worked as a pharmacy tech/retail at Parkcrest Pharmacy & Gift Shop, worked at St. John's, before it was Mercy Hospital as a CNA, Unit Ward Clerk, and in Medical Records.

Eileen was devoted to her Catholic Faith, parishioner at St. Agnes and then St Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Churches. She sang with the church choir and had many longtime friends associated with church. She was an RCIA sponsor and regularly attended classes for continuing knowledge.

Her hobbies included the church choir, photography home decorating, visiting the ocean on both coasts, square dancing (and of course, the 2 oldest kids were "encouraged" to square dance as well), Bunko, Bridge (said she always felt sorry for her partner because mom "could never quite get the hang of it").

Eileen’s favorite times were family dinners at kitchen table, or afternoon gathering of kids and friends at the kitchen table, and of course the infamous Yahtzee games on that beautiful table. Mom's claim to fame was six Yahtzee's in one game….she had the biggest grin on her face.

Fun times were shopping trips all over the state of Missouri with her long-time best friend and neighbor Val. She absolutely loved fine jewelry and nice clothes. She had memorized the Home Shopping Network numbers to call by heart. She should have bought stock in the company!!

Above all, mom had a heart of gold. Always willing to help friends, church members, anyone in need. She was a driver for different friends. Her most memorable chauffeur moments were "Driving Sister Frances" :)

Mom unconditionally loved all her children. That meant she unconditionally loved all her children's friends and treated them like they were her own children as well. Many thanks to all of those adopted kids that still checked on her, loved her, and treat her like their own mother.

Eileen’s surviving children are Elisa and her husband Steven, James, and Mike. Her beautiful grandchildren, Allix Marie Strahon (daugther of Elisa & Steven) and Devin Patrick Radke (son of Mike and Diana Radke). Brother-in-law, Richard Radke and Karolyn and their children, Joan, Kevin, Bryan, Alan and Jason; sister-in-law, Sharon Radke Mitchell and her children Kim and Marc; Brother-in-law, Leon and Penny Radke, great nieces and nephews. Her cousins, William & Jackie Kingston, Anna & Marion Strobel, and Toni Guidinger. Her neighbors, Val & Jim Vaughn (whom she considered family) and their children Susan, Mark, Julie, Cathy, and David.

She was preceded in death by husband Bernard and sons Gregory and David.

Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 pm on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home, 500 E. Walnut Street, Springfield, Missouri.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 25, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Springfield with Father Mike McDevitt celebrating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers the family would like to request that contributions be made to Mercy Hospice, CH Chub O’Reilly Cancer Center or the American Diabetes Association.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com