LaVertha D. Radtke

 LaVertha Dorothy (Brockemeier) Radtke, 95, of Pender, Nebraska died on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Wayne Country View Care in Wayne, NE. The visitation will be on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE. The funeral will be on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in rural Pender, NE. The burial will be in St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Pender, NE. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE.

LaVertha was born on March 16, 1929, to Herman and Dorothea (Besmer) Brockemeier in Wisner, NE. She was baptized on April 7, 1929, and confirmed in her faith on March 29, 1942, at Zion Lutheran Church in Wisner, NE. She married George Christensen on November 9, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church. To this union the couple had one daughter, Diane. George passed away on April 29, 1965. LaVertha married Louis Radtke on January 5, 1967, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pender. To this union the couple had one daughter, Jana. 

LaVertha enjoyed spending time at the Pender Senior Center visiting with her friends and playing cards. She served on the Pender Senior Center board and was active with the St. John’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aide organization. She loved taking trips with Louis down to Branson, MO and playing cards, especially pitch and pinochle. In 1971, LaVertha started keeping a detailed journal of her life events, she would document daily activities and other important environmental details. 

LaVertha is survived by her daughter, Diane (Tim) Ronnenkamp of Lexington, NE; son-in-law, Mike Anderson of Wayne, NE; four grandchildren, Jace Ronnenkamp, Justin (Megan) Anderson, Jared (Brenna) Anderson, Shania Anderson; two great-grandchildren, Piper Lynn Anderson, and Penelope Jana Anderson. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

LaVertha is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, George Christensen, and Louis Radtke; sister, Darlene (Roland) Holtz; and daughter, Jana Anderson. She is also preceded in death by many brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.