Alma M. Radka was born and raised in Fresno, CA, and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, in Kerman, CA shortly after celebrating her 100th birthday. She was the second born of four daughters to Darrel F. and Irma A. Dutton.
Alma graduated from Fresno High School in 1936 and met her future husband Albert T. Radka while attending Fresno State College in 1937. She was a member of the Alpha Theta Sorority. In 1941 she moved to Long Beach to join in the war effort, and was employed in the fingerprinting department at the Wilmington Shipyards where she earned the Maritime Commission Ships for Victory Award of Merit.
Before returning to Fresno she set up and maintained homes while her husband was serving in the military at March Field, CA, Marianna Army Air Field, Florida (1943), Tyndall Field, Florida (1944) and Maxwell Field, Alabama (1946).
She was married on September 19, 1942 in Los Angeles to Al Radka, who was later known as a Fresno area radio and TV personality. Moving back to Fresno, she maintained a warm and loving home for Albert and herself. Alma was known as the Little Angel behind the scenes whom Albert relied on.
Alma was also known for her quick wit, infectious smile and gentle spirit. An accomplished self-taught artist, her paintings were comprised of still life and landscapes. She was an avid reader who would only select books from her local Fresno County Library branch. She was not one to allow a stray animal to be without food, water or shelter; she made sure her home provided a safe haven.
Alma was preceded in death by her husband Albert; her parents; her sisters, Delores Hollister and Geraldine Raley; and her brother-in-law, Gordon Hollister.
She is survived by her sister, Jean F. Dutton; her brother in law Hal Raley; her nieces and nephews, Jerry Raley and his wife Terri, Gordon B. Hollister, Jr. and his wife Peggy, Janey Goss, John Goss and his wife Carolyn, Scott Goss and his wife Debbie, Dwight Goss and his wife Denise, Nancy Goss and many great nieces and nephews; great, great nieces and nephews and Alma and Albert’s good friend, Jim Hyberg.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Autumn Ridge in Kerman for their exceptional care and patience for making a loving and caring environment for Alma.
Services were held in early December. Remembrances may be made to the one of Alma’s favorite charities; The Fresno Rescue Mission, Valley Animal Center, American Red Cross, Central California SPCA, Arbor Day Foundation, United Service Organizations (USO) or to one of the donor’s favorite charities.
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