Obituary of Richard Kamradt

Richard "Dick" Kamradt passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2015 following a brief illness with pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife of 54 years, Karen, and his family. Dick was born March 19, 1938 in Cherokee, IA to August and Anita (Miller) Kamradt. He lived his early childhood years in rural Sutherland, IA. Later, the family relocated to the rural Royal and Moneta, IA area where Dick received his education. He enjoyed playing on the baseball team, and was very active in 4-H throughout his school years. He graduated from Moneta High School in 1957. While in high school, Dick had joined the National Guard and remained active until enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1960. On April 6, 1960, Dick was united in marriage to Karen Kay McCarty at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL; then transferred to Lubbock, TX. Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force in April, 1961, Dick and Karen moved back to Moneta where Dick farmed with his father. They farmed in the Sutherland and Everly, IA area until 1970, when they moved to their present farmstead near Archer, IA. Dick was still managing farming operations here at the time of his passing. They were blessed with five children: Deb, Dawn, Steve, Sheila, and Brad. When farm work would allow, Dick enjoyed going fishing or just spending time at their cabin during the warmer months. Attending his grandkids' activities was always a highlight, as was time spent with family and friends. When cold weather set in, he and Karen spent the winter in Bullhead City, AZ. Dick was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, and the Eagles. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Karen of Archer, IA; his children: Deb (T.J.) Shandley of Rochester, MN, Dawn (Doug) Biedenfeld of Peterson, IA, Sheila (John) Tatman of Spencer, IA, and Brad (Angie) Kamradt of Sanborn, IA; nine grandchildren: Nicole (Greg) Reeves, Sarah Shandley, Dustin Biedenfeld, Jenna Biedenfeld, Tayler Tatman, Chance Tatman, Payton Kamradt, and Travis Kamradt; one sister, Shirley (Robert) Frembgen of Hastings, MN, and one brother, Herman (Candy) Kamradt of Spirit Lake, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, August and Anita Kamradt, in-laws, John and Seraphine McCarty, son, Steve Kamradt, grandson, Brian Shandley, brothers-in-law: Jerry McCarty and Lee Brody; son-in-law, Don Ryan.