Lloyd Emil Radi, 92, of Crookston, MN, passed away early Friday morning, April 20, 2018, at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, where he had been a resident since June of 2017. Lloyd was born on the family farm, near Fisher, MN, the son of Emil and Selma (Reitmeier) Radi. The family soon moved to the state of Washington, returning to Fisher when he was five. Lloyd began his schooling in the TIN country school near Shirley, MN and later attended Climax (MN) High School. On May 30, 1944 he enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed at Farragut, ID before being sent to Fire Control School at Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Lloyd then served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII as a seaman aboard the USS Wichita. His ship sailed into Japan after the bombing that ended the war. Following his honorable discharge on June 16, 1946, Lloyd returned home and was employed by the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston. On August 11, 1949 he was united in marriage to Rita D. Brule in Crookston, where the couple made their home throughout their married life. Together, Lloyd and Rita raised their four sons: Douglas, Dennis, David, and Daniel. Lloyd worked for area farmers, delivered ice for Heldstab Ice and Fuel, and was later employed by Culligan’s Soft Water. He retired after several years of working with Elk River Concrete in Crookston. In 1947 Lloyd began doing mounts for many hunters and fishing clients in the area. It was at this same time that he also became a very accomplished wood carver, doing countless numbers of duck and fish carvings. Lloyd was a longtime member of the National Fish and Decoy Carvers Association. He was a firearm and hunter safety instructor for many years, and a former Boy Scout leader. In semi-retirement Lloyd like to help out at his son Daniel’s local business, Radi’s Sport Shop. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Crookston American Legion Post #20, Crookston VFW Post #1902, and the DAV. Lloyd was a charter member of the Crookston Conservation Club, and a member and former president of the Crookston Collectors Club. He was a loving husband to Rita for over 68 years, and a wonderful father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Fishing and hunting with his boys remained one of his greatest pleasures in life. Some of his most treasured memories were of those times, including fishing from a kayak for a few years while with his sons. Lloyd will be remembered with love by his wife, Rita, a resident of the Villa; their 4 sons: Douglas Radi of Crookston, Dennis Radi and his wife, Elizabeth, of Eaton, CO, David Radi and Daniel Radi of Crookston; 2 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren: Tera Radi of Greely, Co and her son, Brady Trebus of Denver, CO, Ryan Radi and his wife, Julie, of Eaton, CO and their children, Liliana, Kaitlin, and Liam Radi, also of Eaton; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Radi of Crookston and Marilyn Radi Arneson and her husband, Charles, of Watertown, SD; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Lloyd was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Selma Radi; 2 brothers, Earl and Dallas Radi; and a brother who died before he could be born. May God bless the memory of Lloyd Emil Radi. The memorial service for Lloyd Radi will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston with The Rev. Bill Reck, officiating. Visitation with the family will be for one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council. www.stenshoelhouske.com
