Ryan A. Radke

Ryan Allen Radke

Dec 20, 1968 - Dec 23, 2024

Two days after his 56th birthday, Ryan quietly slipped from this world in his sleep.

Ryan was born to Richard and Darlene Radke during a blizzard and the Hong Kong flu pandemic. He attended Wautoma Public schools and later The Minneapolis Institute of Music. In 1994 Ryan married Lauren Leigh of Berlin, WI. They resided in Punta Gorda, Florida, and Appleton, WI. They were married for two decades.

From a very early age, Ryan was a musical prodigy and could play anything by ear. He played percussion with The Polka Kings of Wild Rose as a youth. In middle and high school, he played with S.S.Doctuar at high school dances. Later in life, he played lead guitar and back up vocals with local groups Just Cruisin,' and most recently, Phat Acrobat. Ryan loved teaching guitar to youth at Wautoma School District as part of the A+ after school program.

Ryan was an accomplished urban landscape watercolor artist with a very unique style. He sold his work on Fine Art America and via Walmart.com and often did commissioned pieces. Since the age of 12, Ryan was a slight-of-hand magician and performed whenever he had the opportunity. He especially enjoyed doing birthday parties and was very popular with his many nieces and nephews. He always had a joke, a head nod, or a magic trick to share. He enjoyed collaborating with fellow artists and musicians, and everyone around town.

In most recent years, Ryan was a valued employee at The Moose Inn Supper, where he felt part of a family.

Ryan is survived by his Mother, Darlene Wedde, Apache Junction, AZ, Brother Rick (Erika,) Evan Radke, Nashville, TN, Sister Amy Hedrick, Josh, Zachary, Samantha, Casey, Wautoma, Wi, Sister Tracy (Tracy) Voss, Ashley (Ryan) Goldsmith, Wautoma, Sister Julie, (Jerry) Schauer, Jared, Jordan, Jesse Schauer, Wautoma, Brother Bill (Tiffany) Wedde, Maddie, Sean, Ava, Hope, San Juan Capistrano, CA, Sister Roxanne Oldham (Trent Fields,) Beau and Alex Oldham, Gold Canyon, AZ, Uncle David Modlinski, Mark (Rhiannon,) Reece and Riley Ludlow, Jason (Amy) Emma, Abby, Hazel Modlinski, all of Atlanta, GA.

Ryan is further survived by his life long friend, Dale Kowalewski, and dear friends Todd Torres and Becky Clemons of Wautoma, his family at The Moose Inn, and numerous friends, classmates and fellow artists.

Ryan was preceded in death by his grandparents Harry Modlinski, Alfred and June Radke, Helen and Eino Maki, Father Richard and Margaret Radke, Dad Dennis Wedde, brother-in-law John Oldham, Aunt Janet Modlinski, brother-in-law Michael Kowalewski, and long-time canine friend, Cricket.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 12, 2025 at The Moose Inn, Wautoma. A memorial will be established to benefit the arts programs within the Wautoma Area School District.