Esther M. Radke, age 102, of New Ulm, died Monday, August 17, 2020, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am on Friday, August 21, 2020, the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm.  Monsignor Douglas Grams will celebrate the Mass, and burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9-11 am on Friday at the Cathedral in New Ulm.

The Christian Mothers Society will pray the rosary at 4pm on Thursday at the Cathedral.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home of New Ulm is assisting the family with arrangements.

Social distancing guidelines must be practiced, and all guests in attendance at the church will be required to wear a mask.

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

Esther is survived by her daughter, Sandra (Terry) Prange of New Ulm; grandchildren, Jody (David) Walls of New Ulm and Paula (John) Wenninger of Lafayette; great-grandchildren, Jacob Thunander of Monticello, Tyler Walls of New Ulm, and Josh Wenninger of Lafayette; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Kaping of Nevis.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Armin; her parents; sisters, Leona Hesse, Lorraine Vorlicky, Verona Hesse, and Elvira Schnurrer; brothers, Henry, Harold, and Elmer Kaping.

Esther Mary Kaping was born on July 5, 1918, in New Ulm to Henry & Mary (Rubey) Kaping. She was united in marriage to Armin M. Radke on June 4, 1940, at the Cathedral Parsonage. Esther worked as a Librarian at the New Ulm Public Library for 53 years until she retired in 1988. She enjoyed collecting dolls, antiques, books, completing jigsaw puzzles, going on bowling trips, playing cards, attending dances, traveling to Germany, and playing bingo. Esther took pride in being asked to be the Heritagefest Parade Festmeister.  She donated George's Tree House in memory of her nephew George Schuck, the Rastkeller front door in memory of her mother, and three paver stones at the courthouse in memory of her brothers. Besides her work and community involvement, what she loved most was time she got to spend with her family.  Esther always cherished the opportunity to host her family over the holidays.  Esther was a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the Turner Ladies Society, the Christian Mothers Society, the St. Elizabeth Society, and the Catholic Aid Association.  Although Esther lived a long and beautiful life, she will be deeply missed by many.  Countless cherished memories will forever stay in the hearts of all who knew her best.  Blessed be those memories.

Memorials are preferred to Turner Hall or the Brown County Humane Society.