Obituary of Rhoda T Radtke

Rhoda Tufts Radtke, 92 of Mendham, NJ passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Rhoda was born on September 28,1930 to the late Charles and Doreen Tufts in Narembeen, Western Australia. When she was two years old her family immigrated to the US and settled in Mendham Township. Rhoda attended Brookside School, Morristown High School and Nurses Training at the Newark Baby’s Hospital. Rhoda was a stay-at-home mom for many years until she entered the work force in 1972. She worked for the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company until her retirement in 1992.

In 1946, while roller skating with friends, Rhoda met the love of her life, Edward Radtke.  They married in 1949 and built a life together that lasted over 50 years.  They were a team. Not always seeing eye-to-eye but always working together toward the desired result.  Through hard work, they built a home, a successful construction business, and owned/managed several rental properties, all while raising five children.  They especially enjoyed participating in the annual Fourth of July Parade in Brookside.  Over the years they built and entered many family floats in the Parade.

Rhoda had many interests throughout her life.  As a young girl she became a skilled gymnast and dancer, performing at Ladies’ Teas and social gatherings.  She always had a “cause”, whether it was petitioning the 1956 Township Committee to hold a polio vaccine clinic or overseeing her children’s scouting troops, helping with church rummage sales or chaperoning school field trips.  Later in life she delivered Meals-On-Wheels, participated in Bible studies and worked for the Board of Elections in Mendham Township, overseeing the polls.  This she did into her mid 80’s. She was committed to her family and her community.

After her retirement she and Ed bought a beach house in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  This was her favorite place to go. Family and friends would gather during the summer and at Easter, making lasting memories.  Everyone was welcome.  There was always room for more.

Rhoda loved her husband, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was especially fond of “my Michael” (you know who you are), who was always a phone call away.  She loved antiquing, gardening, baking and helping others.  She was a force to be reckoned with and was sometimes stubborn to a fault but her heart was huge.  Her Faith was strong.  She faced many difficult times throughout her life but always leaned on her Faith and her God for support.

Rhoda was predeceased by her husband, Edward, her brother Sam Tufts, her daughter Bonnie Reese, her sons Rhett and Teddy, her granddaughter, Amanda Stone and grandson, Hunter Radtke. She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Stone (Pat-deceased) and Alyssa McCrory (Hugh), her half-brother Charlie Keefer, her grandchildren Owein Reese (Sue), Shane Stone (Gina), Heather Hamilton, Austin Stone (Angella), Tripp McCrory (Rebecca), Jamie and Molly McCrory. And her great grandchildren Vivienne, Teddy, Madeline, Parker, Riley, Ava, Connor and Cameron. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews and many friends.

The family would like to thank Rhoda’s care givers, Lucy Hurley and Janet Wood for their wonderful, loving care, her doctors, Bernard and Ada Davidoff and their wonderful staff, as well as Lisa Conover for her constant support.

Lastly, but by all means not least, her daughter Alyssa, would like to acknowledge and thank Rhonda for the love and care she gave Mom and the sacrifices she made in order to care for Mom during the last three years of her life. Rhonda, I will be forever grateful.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, from 10am -12pm at Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd. Mendham, NJ with a funeral service at 12 noon in the Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Mendham Hilltop Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express their condolences are encouraged to make donations to Brookside Community Church, 8 East Main St. PO box 490, Brookside, NJ  07926 or Mendham United Methodist Church, 10 E. Main St., Mendham, NJ  07945.