Obituary: Francis L. Raddatz “Bud”

Bud passed peacefully with family at his side on February 28, 2022. He was born April 12, 1935, to Ervin and Loretta Cordy Raddatz on the family farm near Hilbert, town of Woodville, Calumet County.

He picked up the nickname “Bud” early in life, and was known to all by Bud.

He attended Hilbert Public and St. Peter Lutheran Schools. In 1953 he graduated from Hilbert High; the same year he joined the WI National Guard. They were called to active duty in 1961. Bud received his discharge in 1962 with the rank of E5. He was a member of the American Legion Post 469.

After high school, Bud stayed home and helped on the family farm. After his father’s death in 1955, Bud ran the farm for his mother, later renting it, and then buying it. After an illness he sold the cows and went to work for Kasper Building Supply in Potter, working there for 10 years. He then bought a herd of cows and went back to farming; five years later sold the cows, rented out the farm, and went to work for Wickes Lumber in Forest Junction. When the yard closed there he transferred to the Sheboygan yard where he worked until his retirement for 22 years. He received a 100 year farm award in 1984.

In October 1957 Bud was united in marriage to Joan Brandt in Sheboygan. Along came six children; Karen, Ken, Francis Jr., Kevin, Kathy (who died at birth), and Kristine. Joan passed away in 1986. Later he met Dora Mae Schoessow of Marathon. They were married May 26, 2001, at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Marathon. Bud then sold the farm and moved to Marathon where he built a home.

Bud was an avid beer can collector, having many cans from around the World. He made many friends from the shows; one special friend Turkey from Reno, Nevada, really helped him with his collection.

During WWII Bud was fascinated by airplanes and the boys that jumped out of them, so one day he thought if they can jump out of the planes he would take an umbrella claw up to the top of the silo and jump. Somehow he changed his mind and thought he would try the chicken coop roof first which was a good thing. After that jump his parachute jumping days were over; the ground sure came up fast.

Bud dug graves for 20 years, received $8.00 for the first one and $60.00 for the last one. This was a lot of work using a pick and shovel; check the prices now. He could tell many stories about grave digging.

Bud was always ready to help his neighbors when needed. He had a good sense of humor so the B.S. flew quite often. He always kept his lawn looking nice.

Bud is survived by his wife Dora; children Karen (Don) Price, Ken (Mary) Raddatz, Francis Jr (Karen) Raddatz, Kevin Raddatz (fiancé Lori), and Kristine (Dennis) Frey; grandchildren Nicole, Brian (Jessica) and Brandon Price, Stacy and Andy Raddatz, Corey Sobiech, Kathy (Khris) Reese, Ellen, Elizabeth, Peyton and Dani Raddatz, Gabby, Izzy and Sophia Frey; great grandchildren Layla, McKenna, Cooper, Brynnlee, Alexis, Madison, Mason, Horatio, Rozalie, Josephine, Grace and Oliver. He is further survived by his sister Lois (Robert) Hinz, sister-in-law Terri Raddatz; as well as stepchildren Harold (Cheryl) Schoessow, Judy (Ed) Hall, RuthAnn (Romy) Klinger, Dawn Gauerke (friend Kenny), Donald (Debby) Schoessow, and families.

Bud was preceded in death by his first wife Joan, his parents Ervin and Loretta, daughter Kathy, granddaughter Cara, his brother Ron; as well as in-laws Lucy and Louis Brandt, Harold and Rosalie Brandt and William and Violet Smith, 2 nieces and a nephew.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau, is assisting the family. A Memorial service and American Legion salute will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery, Hilbert, in the spring. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Dad’s name.