John Radabaugh

John R. Radabaugh, age 71, of Willmar, died following a massive stroke on Wednesday, January 8, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar.  Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Military honors will be provided by the Willmar VFW and American Legion Posts.  Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to www.nationalmssociety.org are preferred.

John Roger Radabaugh was born on April 2, 1948, in Willmar, Minnesota, the oldest of eight children of Roger and Alice (Botnen) Radabaugh.  He grew up in Willmar, graduated from Willmar High School in 1966 and attended the Willmar Community College.  In 1969, John was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in West Berlin Germany.  On May 2 1970, John was united in marriage to Patricia Jean Norman.  Following his honorable discharge in 1971, he attended St. Cloud State College and earned a BS degree in finance and business management.  They lived in the Willmar community and John worked as an accountant and business manager for Pulsifer Construction.  He was later employed as a real estate agent for Edina Realty.  John served as a Boy Scout leader and was a past commander of the Willmar VFW Post #1639 and a member of the Willmar American Legion Post #167, the Elks Lodge, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Church of St. Mary.  He enjoyed sports and was a die-hard fan of the Vikings and Johnnies.  He played city and church league softball and broomball.  He also enjoyed coaching and watching his children in their sporting activities.  In 2002, he was diagnosed with having MS and retired.  It was during his retirement that John learned to golf and enjoyed exercising at the YMCA.  He will be sadly missed by his Valley Golf crew and the Shamblers.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of Willmar; three children, Patrick (and Cristy) Radabaugh of Denver, CO., David (and Maggie) Radabaugh of St. Paul and Annie (and Matt) Darling of Sartell; and seven grandchildren (soon to be eight).  Also surviving are many of his siblings, Jim (and Linda) Radabaugh of New London, Mark (and Leslie) Radabaugh of Willmar, Kathy (and Steve) Strom of Willmar, David (and Betty) Radabaugh of Willmar, Charlie (and Kim) Radabaugh of Kent, WA., Carol (and Roger) Tatge of Willmar and Robbie (and Jerry) Bulthuis of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister and brother-in-law, Mary and John Pelkey.