Molly Radtke

Molly Nicole Chaney Radtke, age 57, loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt and loyal friend, left this world peacefully on August 26, 2025, at Shiloh Assisted Living facility in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota to be with the Lord. Cherished memories were shared while Molly was surrounded by her husband, family and friends.

Molly was born in Yankton, South Dakota on September 13, 1967, to her parents, Tom and Judi Chaney. Molly lived a rich life with love and service to others.

Molly was an avid horse woman during her high school years in Lakeville. She rode English Pleasure in many shows around the country, ultimately placing third in the AQHA youth world show in 1984. Following her graduation from Lakeville high school in 1985, she traveled to Nevada, Missouri to attend Cottey College. She graduated from Cottey with her associates degree in 1988 and transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where she graduated in 1990 with her bachelor's degree in hotel and restaurant management. She was immediately hired by Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, Minnesota, where she remained for 28 years. Early in her career at Grand View, Molly met the love of her life, Ryan Radtke from Benson, Minnesota. They were married at Grand View on October 20, 2001, following a nine year courtship. Molly said she knew she would marry Ryan the moment she laid eyes on him. They lived out their lives together in Nisswa, where Molly volunteered for the Nisswa Chamber, Women Who Care and The Nisswa Women of Today. She was a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood and was initiated into her mother’s chapter in 1990. She lived her life based on the five principles of the sisterhood, faith, love, purity, justice, and truth.

Family meant everything to Molly and time spent at the Chaney family cabin on Gull Lake held a special place in her heart, where love and laughter, and a sense of togetherness thrived. She was so very proud of her nieces’ and nephews’ accomplishments and was the consummate family caretaker. Following her stroke in 2017, her love and compassion grew stronger, and her spirit for life never waned. In 2022, Molly was diagnosed with breast cancer and fought hard through chemotherapy, which led to remission. Sadly, the cancer returned in early 2025, necessitating a permanent move into Shiloh, where she looked forward to her frequent visits from family and friends, including her beloved dog, Kesha.

In celebrating Molly‘s life, we honor her unwavering love, generous spirit, and her profound impact on those around her. Her memory will forever remain etched in the hearts of her family and friends. We can find comfort in knowing that her love and kindness will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. Molly is survived by her devoted husband, Ryan, of almost 24 years, mother, Judi, of Woodbury, sisters, CariAnna Ruthford (Shawn), Eva Steege (Russ), brother, Jay Chaney (Melissa), father & mother-in-law, Pat & Al Radtke of Ortonville, brother-in-law, Blaine Radtke (Jen), nieces, Cassidy Chaney, Carly Chaney, Calia Chaney, Madison Buckingham, Josey Arends (Matthew), nephews, Chase Ruthford, Eli Radtke, stepfather, Dale Steege, step-sister, Heather Steege, step-brother, Brad Steege, and her aunts, uncles and cousins.

Molly’s legacy is intertwined with the love of her father, Tom Chaney, who preceded her in death, along with maternal grandparents, Lorne and Eva Arnold, uncle, Jack Arnold, and paternal grandparents, Morris and Dorothy Chaney.

Her Celebration of Life will be held at the Legacy at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake on Saturday, September 6, with a visitation at 11:00 AM and service at 12:00 PM, followed by lunch. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Nisswa Chamber picnic tables fund in honor of Molly Radtke at PO Box 185, Nisswa MN, 56468 (a dedicated memorial plaque will be mounted on a gazebo table so we can sit with Molly) or to Cottey College, 1000 Austin Blvd., Nevada, MO 64772.