Darvin Herman Raddatz died at the New Ulm Medical Center on Thursday, September 30, 2021, at the age of 87.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in New Ulm. Pastor Jeffrey Bovee will officiate, and burial will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, in New Ulm.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm on Monday, October 4, 2021 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church and 1 hour prior to the funeral service on Tuesday.

To leave an online condolence for his family, or to sign the guestbook, go to: www.mvfh.org

Darvin was born on September 2, 1934, in Brown County near Morgan, MN to Paul and Ida (Otto) Raddatz. He was baptized after his birth in Eden Township and confirmed at St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church In 1948 in Danube, MN. He attended District 127 country school in Renville County and the Danube Public School before attending and graduating from Dr. Martin Lutheran High School in New Ulm, MN in 1951. He graduated from Northwestern College, Watertown, WI in 1955. In that year he entered pastoral training at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Thiensville, WI graduating in 1959.

He taught high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary of Saginaw, MI in 1957-58 and again in 1959-62. On July 14, 1962, he was united in marriage to Marie Arlene Nero at Cedarburg, WI. They lived in Yale, MI from 1962 to 1965 where Darvin served as pastor of Emanuel-Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church. From 1965 to 1970 they lived in Beaver Dam, WI where Darvin served as an Associate Pastor at St. Stephen's Ev. Lutheran Church. From 1970 to 2001 Darvin served as a professor of religion and history at (Dr.) Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. During these years he also served terms as Secretary of the WELS Commission on Evangelism and later the Minnesota District Board for Evangelism. Upon retirement in 2001 he served vacant pastoral positions at various Lutheran churches in the United States as well as at Martin Lutheran College. During his years at the college and thereafter he also served the community as a member of the Lions Club of New Ulm, acting as District Governor of MD5M3 in 2005-06. In 2015 he and Marie moved to Highland Regency House in New Ulm.

Darvin died in New Ulm as a member of St. John Lutheran Church. He will be buried in the Lutheran Cemetery at New Ulm and awaits the day of resurrection by Christ. In his life he deeply appreciated the gift of being able to serve Christ through the church and Martin Luther College, as well as through his marriage with his faithful and loving wife Marie and as father to the wonderful family the Lord has given them. Darvin is survived by Marie, his wife of 59 years, and their children: Pastor Kevin (Lisa) Raddatz of Grayslake, IL; Pastor Stephen (Kimberly) Raddatz with their twin sons, Jacob and Joshua, of Traverse City, MI; Michael Raddatz of St. Peter, MN; Nathan (Naomi) Raddatz of Manitowoc, WI, with their children, Heidi, Lincoln, Zachary, and Molly; and Alissa Raddatz of Minneapolis, MN. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and his siblings Norbert, Helmuth, Elda, and Doris.

Memorials are appreciated for Martin Luther College, Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, or the giver's choice.