Virginia Isabel Radtke

Virginia I. Radtke, 93, of Pelican Lake, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends after a long illness on July 24, 2023. She was born Jan. 7, 1930, in Pasadena, Calif., the daughter of Harold F. and Norma M. (Heinke) Weaver. Virginia graduated from Antigo High School, Class of 1947. Following graduation, she worked briefly at Kraft Foods in Antigo before attending Antigo Normal School. She graduated from UW-La Crosse in 1962 with a major in Physical Education. Virginia married Walter E. Swanson in Sparta on June 3, 1959, bearing a son Gregory in December 1962. They settled on Sabinois Point on the shores of Pelican Lake and began operating Sabinois Point Resort in October, 1965. Virginia later married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) J. Radtke on June 7, 1975, enjoying 24 years of marriage before Bob preceded her in death in May 1999.

Throughout the years Virginia actively served as an officer in the Elcho Pelican Lake Lioness Club, Oneida County Chamber of Commerce, and the Pelican Lake Chamber of Commerce. She was a teacher in Eagle River, Sayner, Elroy, and Tomahawk, then served as recreation director for Headwaters Regional Achievement Center in Rhinelander, coaching and fielding Special Olympics teams until 1976. 

Virginia enjoyed running her resort on Pelican Lake each summer, renting cabins and boats while socializing with her many guests, some of which became lifelong friends. Each winter Virginia and Bob would travel to South Texas, among other places, to spend the winter. Once Bob passed, her son Greg, his family, and her dear friend Gail began to travel with her. In her youth she was an active water skier, alpine skier, and sailor, and had a passion for cooking. She also rode horseback in her earlier years and was still driving snowmobiles into her 80s. In her later years it was common to see her driving a boat pulling a young skier behind. Teaching the next generation was her passion.

In addition to her parents Harold and Norma (Heinke) Weaver and her dear grandmother Valeska (Otte) Weaver, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert (Bob) J. Radtke, her cousin Lynn (Harv) Hoy, and her brother, George (Bill) and sister-in-law Shirley (Pederson) Weaver. 

Surviving are her son, Gregory J. Swanson and his wife, Margaret (Meg), of Janesville; her sisters Barbara (Weaver) Krause, Jean (Weaver) Sharon of Pelican Lake, her two granddaughters, Jessica E. Swanson and Jessica A. Urfer and her great-granddaughter, all of Janesville; her best friend Gail Alsteen, Pelican Lake, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at noon on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Schoepke Town Hall in the Village of Pelican Lake.