Radloff Jr., Harley Charles

Harley Charles Radloff Jr., 75, of Postville, lost his battle with Mantel Cell Lymphoma on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013, at his home in Postville, surrounded by his wife and children.

Harley was born Dec. 5, 1937, in rural Luana, Iowa, to Harley and Mary (Gentz) Radloff Sr. He graduated in 1955 from Postville High School, where he served as senior class president. Harley was voted Homecoming King and was very active in sports during high school.

Harley was united in marriage to Belva Dawn Brandt on June 10, 1956, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville. Belva passed away Nov. 14, 1970. He was united in marriage to Valetta Brooks Heins on Aug. 14, 1971, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville.

Harley and his father built the bowling alley in Postville which they ran together for several years. He then farmed for a time. Harley ran the “Halsey Car Care” body repair shop and restored many antique cars over the years. He then managed the John Falb & Sons dealership in Elgin, sold cars for Falb Motor Co. in West Union, Brown's Sales and Leasing in Elkader and Decorah Chevrolet and Cadillac in Decorah. If you were to ask anyone who bought a car from him they would say, Harley was a great salesman.

Harley had many hobbies which included golfing, fishing (especially in Canada), camping at Big River Campground in Prairie du Chien, Wis., building bird houses, making wine, building lawn furniture and playing cards with his Winter Wednesday afternoon group. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, watching college football and basketball games and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Harley was a great husband, a great father, an even greater grandfather and a friend to many people. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Harley was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville, where his deep faith served him well. He was a former Luther League sponsor, Sunday school teacher, former church council president, he served on the Stewardship Committee and gave many sermons in church. Harley was former president of the Clayton County Cattleman's Association.

Survivors include his wife, Valetta Radloff, Postville; daughter, Jackie (Dan) Schneider, Luana; sons, Nick (Lisa) Radloff, Blair, Neb., Blake Radloff, Strawberry Point, and Darren (Becki) Radloff, Prairie du Chien, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Derrick (Sandie) Cooper, Ryan (Jessica) Groth, Mandy (Loren) Wiltgen, Jackson and Brandt Radloff, Zoe Radloff, Sydney Radloff, Teagan, Tannah and Brock Radloff; four great-grandchildren; brother, Bruce Radloff (special friend, Karin DeVore), Anaheim, Calif.; sister, Lois (Keith) Meyer, Mesa, Ariz.; sisters-in-law, Jean Nelson, June (Steve) Weis, Bev (Dennis) Madison, Ardelle Brooks, Verdis (John) Feller, Verlene Kelley, ValJean Berg, Veronica Fugote and Vikki Welsh (special friend, Jim Fierstine); and brothers-in-law, Fred (Geri) Brandt, Bob (Beth) Brandt, Jim (Sherrie) Brandt, Verle Brooks, Vaylord (Betty) Brooks and Victor Brooks.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Belva Radloff; and his son and daughter-in-law, Lane and Rhonda Radloff.

In lieu of flowers, Harley requested memorials be given to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville; Tri-City Golf Club, Luana; or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Iowa Chapter, 2700 Westown Parkway, Suite 260, West Des Moines, IA 50266.

Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, Postville, and one hour before services Saturday at the church. Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, with the Rev. Steve Brackett as officiant. Inurnment will follow at Postville Cemetery.

Condolences may be left with: www.graufuneralhomes.com.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, is helping the family with the arrangements.

Published Nov. 8, 2014 in The Gazette