Carmen Maria Radtke

Carmen was born on October 02, 1940, in Jerez De La Frontera, Spain. She was born to Manuel & Isabel Lopez Morales. She grew up in a modest family and learned how to sew from her mother upon which she became an expert Tailor. Once her children were grown, she went back to what she loved, as a Tailor for Schrock’s Men’s Store, where she worked until retirement.

She lived her younger years in Madrid, Spain, where she became educated in tailoring. In 1967 she met her future husband, Terry Radtke where he was stationed in the Navy Field Depot, Rota Spain. For Terry, it was love at first sight; for Carmen, not so much as she stood him up several times before she realized he was not going to give up, so she gave in and decided to go on a date with him.

The two fell in love and 1968 Terry and Carmen were married in Rota, Spain. In 1969 they moved to the United States, where they resided until she passed. They had two children in Spain, Manuel and Paula and two more once they moved to the US, Marla and Tiger. Once in the US she attended Chemeketa Community College where she became fluent in English.

Her greatest passions were her husband, children and grandchildren. She took pride in caring for them and wanted them near her as much as possible. She loved all holidays as she knew her children would all be with her under one roof. She had an amazing sense of humor and a smile that would light up a room. She loved to sew, and she had the biggest heart. She would do anything for the ones she cared about. Everyone that met her, loved her! She was proud of her heritage and was a devoted Catholic who lived by her faith and instilled that upon her children.

Carmen was preceeded in death by her mother, Isabelle, father, Manuel, sister, Isabelle, brothers, Paco, Rafael and Javier and Pepito and son Terry “Tiger” She is survived by her husband Terry of 54 years, her sister, Charro (her three children, Manuel (Candace), Paula and Marla (Mike) her four grandsons, four granddaughters and two great granddaughters and her two honorary daughters, Deidra Witmer and Rachel De Robles and several sister and brothers-in-law’s, nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Kathy & Dusty with Gentiva Hospice. The whole hospice team was nothing short amazing. We would also like to thank Rachel De Robles with First Call Home Health; we couldn’t have asked for a more loving and caring caregiver who is now considered part of our family.