Harlan Raddatz

December 18, 1934 - March 2, 2017

Harlan Raddatz, 82, of Redwood Falls died Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Garnette Gardens. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Redwood Falls with burial to follow in Redwood Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, March 6, 2017, from 4 until 8 p.m., at Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls and will continue on Tuesday, from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m., at the church. Arrangements are with Nelson-Hillestad Funeral and Cremation Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelson-hillestad.com. Harlan Walter Raddatz, the son of Reinhold and Cecelia (Schmidt) Raddatz, was born December 18, 1934 on the family farm in New Avon Township, Redwood County. He grew up on the farm and received his elementary education in District 14 rural school. Harlan attended Dr. Martin Lutheran High School in New Ulm, graduating in 1952. On September 5, 1959, Harlan married LaDonna Gilb at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Milroy and the couple lived and farmed the Raddatz home place. Harlan retired from farming in 1995 and the couple moved into Redwood Falls. Harlan then worked in the maintenance department at the Redwood County Courthouse, retiring in 2004. He became a resident at Garnette Gardens in 2016. Harlan loved polka music and was an accomplished concertina player. He was a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Harlan is survived by his wife LaDonna of Prairie Senior Cottages in New Ulm; children Kevin (Nando) Raddatz of Windsor, California, Brian (Dianne) Raddatz of Redwood Falls, and Gail (Orlean) Stage of Vesta; grandchildren Austin, Brandon, Aleesa and Shayla Stage, and Emily, Jessica and Dylan Raddatz; his brother Loren (Martha) Raddatz of Morgan; sisters-in-law Darlene Raddatz of Rosemount, and Gladys Raddatz of Morgan; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson Keaton Lee Raddatz, daughter-in-law Shelly Raddatz; brothers Marlin and Lyle Raddatz; sister Darlene Blume; and brother-in-law Delmer “Jim” Blume. Blessed be his memory.