Obituary of Beverly Evangeline Radde

Beverly Evangeline Radde, March 29, 1932-May 6, 2023, age 91. Preceded in death by husband Leon Robert Radde. Surviving son Mark (Pat) Radde, daughter Karen (Mark) Gunderson and daughter Susan Radde (Mohit Sen). Bev is survived by six grandchildren: Kyle, Lauren, Zachary, Justin (Doniele), Alexandra (Ben) and Savannah, as well as two great grandchildren Brantley and Brooklyn.

Bev was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 29, 1932, the only child of Adolph and Edna Johnson. She was a South Minneapolis girl through and through, graduating from Minnehaha Academy High School in 1949. Bev went on to attend Augsburg College where she met her husband to be, Leon Radde. She had a passion for teaching and finished her Bachelor of Arts degree at St Cloud State Teacher’s College. Bev and Leon were married on November 24, 1954, shortly after her time at St Cloud. After they got married, they bought a house in Bloomington, Minnesota and started their family.

After her kids started school, Bev spent time teaching at Miss Betty’s Nursery School in Bloomington. Knowing she had a special talent for teaching the preschool age group, she went on to become the Director of the preschool at St Michael’s Lutheran Church, where she was known as the “singing teacher”, always guiding the kids from one activity to the next in song.

Bev and Leon travelled extensively both in the United States and abroad, thanks to the Institute of Internal Auditors, a professional association Leon actively participated in for many years before his death. Bev and Leon made incredible life-long friends through their involvement with that organization.

After Leon’s premature death, Bev chose to move on from teaching and became the beloved receptionist at Nath Companies Property Management. Bev loved her time there and was undoubtedly the most reliable and charming employee they ever had.

In 1995, a good family friend opened a wine bar in the now trendy North Loop location of Minneapolis. Bev being Bev told him he better come up with a good name for the wine bar and he ended up naming it Bev’s Wine Bar. It was a special place for Bev and her family. Her daughter Susan got married there in 2000 as did her granddaughter Alex in 2022. Bev’s closed in March of this year, but Bev was able to get there for one last glass of wine.

Bev was a huge influence not only on her children but importantly on her grandchildren. She deeply loved them all and they will carry her spirit on in life.

According to her wishes, there will be a private family gathering planned to celebrate Bev’s life. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family requests that memorials be mailed to the Minnesota Hospice Foundation, 17645 Juniper Path, Suite 155, Lakeville, MN 55044.