Carmen Valeer (Burns) Radke, of Albert Lea, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at ThorneCrest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.

Carmen Radke

A celebration of life service will be held 11:00 AM on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Bonnerup Funeral and Cremation Service in Albert Lea; with visitation being one hour prior.

Carmen was born in Winnebago, MN on Sept. 28, 1940, to Gladys and Harold Burns at the Winnebago Hospital. Carmen attended school in Winnebago. Her class was the first kindergarten class in Winnebago and got to march in the homecoming parade. Carmen started her senior year in Winnebago and then her family moved to Willmar, MN where she graduated in June 1958. She attended every class reunion and enjoyed reconnecting with her Winnebago classmates. Carmen was a member and confirmand of the First Presbyterian Church. She enjoyed singing in the youth and adult choir. As a child Carmen loved to ride bicycle and was a member of the Girls Scouts.

Carmen married in October of 1958 and lived in Wells where she had two children, Bruce and Julie. While in Wells she belonged to the EUB Church and sang in the choir. She and her first husband later divorced. In 1966, Carmen began working at Miami Margarine which later became Holsum Food and Ventura Foods. She retired after working over 30 years.

Carmen married Ted Radke on August 31, 1996, and they made their home in Albert Lea. Carmen enjoyed embroidery, reading including her prayer book, genealogy and collecting stamps. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on the visiting Deacons where she was chairperson for two years. At church she volunteered at kid Zone, secretary of the Presbyterian Women and would substitute for the church secretary occasionally. She was a member of the Genealogy Society and served as president. She also volunteered for “Autumn in the Village” at the museum and enjoyed typing data into the computer and gave her time to the Trades & Labor Credit Union. Carmen enjoyed being a member of the Low Bucks Car Club for 25 years and loved showing off her flame orange 1972 Buick Skylark.

Carmen is survived by her husband Ted, son Bruce (Joyce) Frederick and stepchildren Matthew and Amy; grandchildren Adam (Amanda) Frederick, Jill (Adam) Miller, Krista Frederick; step-granddaughter Ali who came to visit every weekend to attend Sunday School and Church. Ali later lived with Carmen and Ted for over 10 years. Carmen is also survived by brothers-in-law Ron Radke and Jim Radke; sisters-in-law Joan (Mike) Cutajar who was like a sister to Carmen and Elaine Dornquast; great grandchildren Adi Frederick, Grace and Aaron Miller. Carmen is preceded in death by daughter Julie; parents; sister Wanda (Glenn); in-laws Tom and Pam Radke, Linda Radke and Pat Radke; step-grandson Makaio and mother and father-in-law Ed and Marcella Radke. Carmen’s words of wisdom were FROG….Fully Rely on God! Please wear purple, t-shirts and jeans, or 50s clothing. Hot Rods and classic cars are welcomed!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 308 Water Street in Albert Lea, or the Winnebago Area Museum, PO Box 595, Winnebago, MN 56098.