Agnes G. Radke

Mason City – Agnes G. Radke, 97, of Mason City, died Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, July 18, 2013 at First United Methodist Church-WAYside Chapel with Pastor Sean McRoberts officiating. Interment will be held in Old Memory Cemetery in New Market, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church. Agnes was born December 3, 1915 on a farm near Thayer, Kansas. Agnes was the eldest of four children born to Hugh E. and Grace (Qualls) Babcock. When Agnes was eight years old her family moved to Shambaugh, IA. She attended schools in Page County, Iowa and graduated from 8th grade from that county. In 1934 she graduated from New Market High School. She taught in rural schools for eight years, then in city schools for the rest of the 33 years she taught. She taught school in New Market, Villisca, Des Moines, Mason City and Nora Springs-Rock Falls schools. On July 14, 1940 she married Vanzo Drennen Jr., from this union two children were born, Joy Marie and Mary Ann. She was divorced from Vanzo in 1948. Agnes attended Maryville Missouri State Teachers College for two years. In January 1964 she went back to Drake University to finish her degree in Elementary Education, graduating June 1, 1964. Agnes was an active member of the First United Methodist Church. She became a disciple with a class who studied with Rev. Akerson as their instructor. She was a communion steward for many years and an active member of We Serve God Missionary, church circle and the prayer choir. She was married to Leland Radke December 29, 1956, they had been high school classmates. Leland passed away February 28, 1981. She was a member of Chautauqua Study Club, AAUW, American Assocation University Women and League of Women Voters, National Education Association, Retired Teachers of North Iowa and lifetime membership in Iowa State Education Association. For over fifty years she enjoyed the game of golf. She also enjoyed playing bridge, writing, reading from good authors, tending and growing plants, sewing, tailoring for herself and family. She enjoyed the time she spent with her family and will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her daughter, Joy Marie Drennen of Mason City; two granddaughters, Jessica Boyd and life partner, Steve Foreman of Forestville, CA and Annie Boyd of Davis, CA; one great-granddaughter, Katie Geary of Rohnert Park, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leland; ex-husband, Vanzo Drennen Jr.; daughter, Mary Ann Drennen; her parents; one sister, Dora, and two brothers, Robert and William.

Cemetery:
Interment will be held in Old Memory Cemetery in New Market, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church.

Visitation:
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services on Thursday at the church.

Service:
Funeral Services will be held 10:00 A.M., Thursday, July 18, 2013 at First United Methodist Church-WAYside Chapel with Pastor Sean McRoberts officiating.