- Born on: June 4, 1936
- Departed on: May 18, 2026
- Resided in: Decorah, IA
Ver Dean "Rudy" Emil Radloff
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Ver Dean "Rudy" Emil Radloff, 89, who died May 18, 2026, in Decorah, Iowa.
Ver Dean was born on June 4, 1936, in Monona, Iowa to Henry C. and Mahala Radloff, arriving in the backseat of his parents’ Studebaker automobile. After graduating from Postville High School in 1954, he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. His service included boot camp in Arkansas, artillery training in Oklahoma, and 18 months stationed in Germany before completing his service in California. He earned several commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Medal.
Immediately following his honorable discharge, Ver Dean returned to the family farm in rural Gunder, Iowa where he devoted his life to farming and being a responsible steward of the land and an advocate for agriculture. On May 30, 1959, he married the love of his life, Jean Ann Berns at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa. Together they built a loving partnership spanning more than six decades and raised a beautiful family.
Ver Dean’s life was rooted in faith, family, hard work, and service. Ver Dean lived his life with dirt on his hands and ag innovation on his mind as he cultivated more than 1,000 acres and tended to his animals, especially his Holstein dairy cattle and his hogs. He served on numerous agricultural organizations, including the Iowa Division Board of Mid-Am Milk, Clayton County Pork Producers, Director of the Gunder Cooperative Cheese Factory, and held various leadership roles including President with Three Rivers FS and leadership roles with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
While farming he received numerous awards and recognitions. Among them, in 1969 he was selected as one of three Outstanding Young Farmers by the Postville Jaycees, an honor recognizing farmers under the age of 36 for excellence in agriculture management, soil and water conservation, and civic contributions. Additional recognitions include FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer, 1983 Mid-AM Dairymen Milk Quality Award, Jacques Seed Corn 1000 Bushel Club, 1996 Mid-Am recognition for Superior Quality Milk, 1998 15 years for being a board member of Three Rivers FS Company, and 1999 a Farmland Dairy Production award. He continuously sought new agricultural knowledge and innovations to strengthen both his farm and his community.
As a man of deep faith, Ver Dean was an active member of his local parishes throughout his life. His generosity reached far beyond northeast Iowa. In partnership with Mid-Am Milk and American Airlines, he helped facilitate the donation of thousands of gallons of powdered milk to Bogotá, Colombia, where it was distributed to the poor by the Franciscan Sisters of Rochester, MN. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing in every season, golfing, card clubs, snowmobiling, and traveling with family and friends.
Ver Dean is survived by his children: Anita (Ron) Blish of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles Radloff of Rochester, Minnesota; Craig Radloff of Luana, Iowa; Peggy (Don) Montgomery of Guttenberg, Iowa; Richard (Christy) Radloff of West Union, Iowa; and Kathryn (Dennis) Francis of Loveland, Colorado; his grandchildren Jessica, Anthony, KayLee, Emily, Ryan, Mara, Logan, Elizabeth, Devin, Clara, Victoria, and Kirsten; and six great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Ann; his parents; his parents-in-law; his siblings, Harley Radloff Sr., Lillian Jacobia, and Donna Mae Olson; his daughter-in-law, Kim Radloff; his granddaughter, Amanda Blish; his godchild and niece, Jessica Berns; his nephew, Harley Radloff Jr. whom he often said was more like a brother; his nephew Larry Olson, with whom he shared a special bond through their love of farming; well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
Together again in God's eternal care. Joint visitation and funeral services for Jean Ann and Ver Dean Radloff will be held July 9-10, 2026 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville, IA. Thursday, July 9, 2026; Rosary and Prayer Service at 3:15 p.m. followed by visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Martin Coolidge. A Rite of Committal will follow at Postville Cemetery. Military honors for Ver Dean will be conducted at the graveside, with a luncheon following.
Memorials for Ver Dean may be directed to the Postville Fire Department, St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville or Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union Hospice.
Ver Dean was born on June 4, 1936, in Monona, Iowa to Henry C. and Mahala Radloff, arriving in the backseat of his parents’ Studebaker automobile. After graduating from Postville High School in 1954, he answered the call to serve his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. His service included boot camp in Arkansas, artillery training in Oklahoma, and 18 months stationed in Germany before completing his service in California. He earned several commendations, including the National Defense Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and Good Conduct Medal.
Immediately following his honorable discharge, Ver Dean returned to the family farm in rural Gunder, Iowa where he devoted his life to farming and being a responsible steward of the land and an advocate for agriculture. On May 30, 1959, he married the love of his life, Jean Ann Berns at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Clermont, Iowa. Together they built a loving partnership spanning more than six decades and raised a beautiful family.
Ver Dean’s life was rooted in faith, family, hard work, and service. Ver Dean lived his life with dirt on his hands and ag innovation on his mind as he cultivated more than 1,000 acres and tended to his animals, especially his Holstein dairy cattle and his hogs. He served on numerous agricultural organizations, including the Iowa Division Board of Mid-Am Milk, Clayton County Pork Producers, Director of the Gunder Cooperative Cheese Factory, and held various leadership roles including President with Three Rivers FS and leadership roles with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
While farming he received numerous awards and recognitions. Among them, in 1969 he was selected as one of three Outstanding Young Farmers by the Postville Jaycees, an honor recognizing farmers under the age of 36 for excellence in agriculture management, soil and water conservation, and civic contributions. Additional recognitions include FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer, 1983 Mid-AM Dairymen Milk Quality Award, Jacques Seed Corn 1000 Bushel Club, 1996 Mid-Am recognition for Superior Quality Milk, 1998 15 years for being a board member of Three Rivers FS Company, and 1999 a Farmland Dairy Production award. He continuously sought new agricultural knowledge and innovations to strengthen both his farm and his community.
As a man of deep faith, Ver Dean was an active member of his local parishes throughout his life. His generosity reached far beyond northeast Iowa. In partnership with Mid-Am Milk and American Airlines, he helped facilitate the donation of thousands of gallons of powdered milk to Bogotá, Colombia, where it was distributed to the poor by the Franciscan Sisters of Rochester, MN. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing in every season, golfing, card clubs, snowmobiling, and traveling with family and friends.
Ver Dean is survived by his children: Anita (Ron) Blish of Des Moines, Iowa; Charles Radloff of Rochester, Minnesota; Craig Radloff of Luana, Iowa; Peggy (Don) Montgomery of Guttenberg, Iowa; Richard (Christy) Radloff of West Union, Iowa; and Kathryn (Dennis) Francis of Loveland, Colorado; his grandchildren Jessica, Anthony, KayLee, Emily, Ryan, Mara, Logan, Elizabeth, Devin, Clara, Victoria, and Kirsten; and six great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jean Ann; his parents; his parents-in-law; his siblings, Harley Radloff Sr., Lillian Jacobia, and Donna Mae Olson; his daughter-in-law, Kim Radloff; his granddaughter, Amanda Blish; his godchild and niece, Jessica Berns; his nephew, Harley Radloff Jr. whom he often said was more like a brother; his nephew Larry Olson, with whom he shared a special bond through their love of farming; well as many other beloved nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law.
Together again in God's eternal care. Joint visitation and funeral services for Jean Ann and Ver Dean Radloff will be held July 9-10, 2026 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Postville, IA. Thursday, July 9, 2026; Rosary and Prayer Service at 3:15 p.m. followed by visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026; Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Martin Coolidge. A Rite of Committal will follow at Postville Cemetery. Military honors for Ver Dean will be conducted at the graveside, with a luncheon following.
Memorials for Ver Dean may be directed to the Postville Fire Department, St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Postville or Emplify Health by Gundersen West Union Hospice.
