Jeffery Clark Radloff, 72, of Merrill, WI passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital, Sturgis, SD with family at his side while attending his 32nd Sturgis Rally.
Jeffery Clark Radloff was born July 4, 1952 in Wausau, WI to Wallace Theodore and Bette Jane (Krueger) Radloff. He grew up in Wausau and graduated from Wausau East High School in 1971. During his high school years he was a member of the Rib Mountain Ski Patrol. He then attended schooling at Kenosha Technical College and graduated with a degree in Law Enforcement. Following graduation, he was hired by the State of Wisconsin and worked at Ethan Allen Juvenile Correctional facility in Wales, WI. He later transferred to Lincoln Hills Juvenile Correctional facility in Irma, WI. Jeff was well respected by management and co-workers, serving in the capacity of a youth counselor and security guard during his 30+ year career.
On September 9, 1978 Jeffery was united in marriage to Denise Louise (Denni) Jorgensen. They have one son, Marcus Jens Radloff. Jeff and Denni owned and operated Radloff’s Carpet Cleaning for 38 years. Marcus worked alongside Jeff for many of those years.
Jeff and Denni both rode motorcycles and were members of the Harley Owners Group. They now drive an orange and black Polaris Slingshot. They enjoyed spending time in the Black Hills during the Sturgis Rally and have met people from all over the world; that have since become lifelong friends. After retirement, they came out west during the summer and worked for friend’s Wendy and Dan Smith that (then) owned Sturgis View Campground. Jeff was a life member of the Auxiliary to Schmitt-Manecke-Donner VFW Post 1638 in Merrill, WI. The VFW’s annual Buddy Poppy Drive was his favorite activity. He also removed snow from the Merrill Veteran’s Memorial site located in the St Francis Xavier Cemetery in Merrill. Jeff was also a life member of the VFW National Home in Eaton Rapids, MI. Jeff competed in Bench Press Power Lifting most of his life and working for the State of Wisconsin made him eligible to compete in the World Police and Fire Games. He won gold medals for Bench Press Power Lifting in Indianapolis, IN in 2001, Barcelona, Spain in 2003, Quebec City, Quebec Canada in 2005 and he won a silver medal in Adelaide, Australia in 2007.Jeff and Denni met people from all over the World and enjoyed visiting all these countries. Jeff trained for these competitions at Franck’s Gym in Wausau, WI with the support of Bryan Franck (owner). In his retirement years, Jeff was a member of Riverside Athletic Club and enjoyed working out and spending time there with his friends in the morning. Jeff and Denni would walk a section of the River Bend Trail in Merrill almost every day and stopped at local businesses to chit chat. Jeff was a Green Bay Packers season ticket holder and he and Denni attended at least a couple games a year. In the 1980’s he obtained his Master Diver certification, which included night diving and ice diving. The highlight of his diving career was being able to dive the Crystal River caverns in Florida. Jeff also enjoyed musky fishing, his personal record was a 50 inch, 36 pound Musky caught during a tournament with co-workers from Lincoln Hills School. Jeff also enjoyed bow hunting for bear and deer and spending time at their cabin in the Town of Pine River.
Jeff was larger than life and had a big personality and an even bigger sense of humor, he loved to joke around with family and friends. He also loved for friends to call him “Daddy” or “Big Daddy”. He loved being the center of attention and created laughter, mischief and sometimes mayhem where ever he went. His wife Denni gave God a “heads-up” that Jeff is going to be a handful. His family and friends will miss his many “one liners” – everyone had their favorite! Jeff had a big and kind heart and was always willing to help anyone in need, even strangers. Jeff loved to watch the Wheel of Fortune and very seldom missed a show. Jeff leaves behind countless friends that loved and will miss him dearly, every one of them has a funny crazy story to tell. He, indeed, lived a great story!
Jeff was especially proud of his family. His wife Denni worked alongside him and was a partner in everything he did. He was so proud of his son Marcus’ 21 year career in the Army Reserves. Marcus deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003 and 2012 respectively. Jeff’s (then) future daughter-in-law Amy Wolleralso deployed to Iraq in 2003.
Jeff is survived by his wife Denni Radloff, son Marcus (Amy) Radloff of Tomah, WI, sister Sandra (Patrick) Brady of The Villages, FL and brother Bruce (Eva) Radloff of Mission Viejo, CA. He is further survived by niece’s AnLyss (Eric) James, Elizabeth Schuette, Jennifer Radloff and nephew Dylan (Lauren) Radloff. He is preceded in death by his father Wallace Theodore Radloff and mother Bette Jane (Krueger) Radloff.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Northwoods Veterans Post, 601 Johnson St., Merrill, WI on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 3:00-7:00. Online condolences may be left at www.kinkadefunerals.com