Gary M. Radtke

Gary Michael Radtke, of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on December 20th, 2025, at age 78. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many, Gary’s kind hearted nature and sense of humor was truly one-of-a-kind.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Barbara Ellen; his son, Doug Radtke (Carrie); step-daughter, Carol Efferding (Kyle); his grandchildren, Nicholas, Katie, Taylor, Kaeden, and Kingston; and his furry four-legged golden retriever, Sadie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony Radtke and Shirley Tierney.

Born on December 28, 1946 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gary spent most of his childhood living on Pewaukee Lake, next door to his friend, Mike, developing a lifelong brotherly bond. The two were inseparable, and even as the physical distance between them grew later in life, they always made time to connect – whether in person or through long phone conversations. He had a passion for fishing, which was strengthened by his yearly summer trips to the Northwoods in Hayward, Wisconsin. Gary graduated from Pewaukee High School in 1965 and then went on to attend University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he obtained a Business degree. Shortly after, Gary began working for RTE/Cooper Power Systems where he dedicated 36 years until his retirement in 2006.

Gary was a loving and dedicated father who passed his love of fishing to his one and only son. They spent numerous hours together throwing musky lures, chatting about catching “The Big One”, and life’s adventures. Both in and out of the water Gary taught far more than fishing- he modeled a strong work ethic, shared his quick wit, and offered steady wisdom that would shape his son for a lifetime. Through laughter, conversation, and time spent side by side, Gary showed what it meant not only to be a father, but a trusted guide and lifelong role model. Gary adored and was extremely proud of his grandkids. He enjoyed going to their sporting events, school activities, and performances, never missing an opportunity to support them. He took great joy in watching each of them grow, celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging them in all that they pursue.

Gary loved to tell stories, oftentimes turning a 30 second story into a 3 minute vivid description of events. He had a great sense of humor even when he was the brunt of the joke. Gary commented quite regularly how he was not much of a “meat eater”, which for family became the inside joke when determining on what to eat. Gary was very particular and selective when it came to food requests or how meals were prepared. It was common to joke about the poor waitress that got stuck waiting on him. He loved his sauces and condiments, and would occasionally bring his own to ensure a perfect dining experience.

Gary set the standard for true friendship through his kindness, loyalty, and generosity. To his friends, he was affectionately known as “The Judge”, a title given with both love and admiration, and one that captured the joy of time spent together. With them he enjoyed traveling, golfing, fishing, and playing poker. Gary cherished his annual fishing trips to Canada with his closest friends, a tradition that held deep meaning to him. This past June he was proudly inducted by them as a Wisconsin Loyal Water Buffalo member, an honor that symbolized the brotherhood he shared with them. He also looked forward to his weekly football bets with his buddy, Ron, spending countless hours each week talking through matchups, sharing laughs, and enjoying the camaraderie that meant so much to him.

Gary shared a loving and devoted marriage with his wife, Barb. Through the years, their relationship was built on mutual respect, steady support, and a deep commitment to one another. Together, they shared a love of life’s simple joys- rarely missing an opportunity to go out to eat, often planning their travels around places they wanted to try. They took many trips across the country, cruises, always eager for the next adventure. Whether it was a planned get a way or a last minute drive to Marinette to enjoy burgers at Mickey Lu’s while taking in the fall leaves, time spent together was what mattered the most. They cherished time spent listening to music and attending concerts side by side, and found daily companionship and comfort in their beloved dog, Sadie. Barb was Gary’s partner in every sense of the word, standing beside him through life’s joys and challenges, and their bond remained a constant source of strength and happiness.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Staff and his team for their compassionate care, along with the amazing staff at Waukesha Memorial Hospital who took wonderful care of Gary during his visits
the past several months.

Visitation and Funeral Services will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capital Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin, on Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM, with the service to begin at 12:00 PM.

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