Theresa R. Odiorne-Radke

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, Theresa Rosemary Odiorne Radke died peacefully surrounded by family. She was born in Fort Madison, Iowa, Oct. 25, 1949, and moved to Wichita at the age of 3.

In her 73 years, Theresa taught her family many things. She warned of the dangers of eating leftovers after their third day, the advantages of an iron skillet, the powers of a copper bracelet, the necessity of a good moisturizer and the benefits of a tasty chocolate sheet cake recipe. 

Theresa loved a good joke. One April Fool’s Day, she placed a frog she had dissected in biology class on her father’s dinner plate and covered it with a dish towel. It was a surprising start to dinner. 

With her mom, she drove untold miles to garage and estate sales gathering items for antique shows and flea markets. She was an expert in antiques and all things collectible. Many of her discovered items have found their way into private, library and museum collections.  She loved the history of it all.

Above all, Theresa loved family fiercely and looked forward to their frequent get togethers, annual picnics, Easter egg hunts and holiday celebrations.

Hers was a life of service. 

She was always ready to cook or bake, care for her nieces and nephews and show up when someone needed a hand. Although she had no children of her own, she attended incalculable numbers of activities involving her sisters’ children.

Theresa was devoted to the long-term care of her parents and was a selfless caregiver.

With the loss of her mom and best friend, she believed that life would never be as sweet.

After their passing, she began writing two books, including a science fiction and a romance novel. She spent evenings or weekends with her sisters and family, having dinner, taking walks and watching favorite programs, such as Burn Notice, Father Brown or Better Call Saul. 

Ultimately, Theresa taught her family lessons in faith and in dealing with a terminal diagnosis.

She met each day with a smile, believing it would help her pain and boost those around her. She leaned on her unwavering faith.

Theresa believed in the power of daily prayer and was devoted to saying novenas and the rosary as part of her prayer life. Recently, she spoke of the circle of life and of her mission on earth coming to an end.

She said to “just say I was well loved.”

Theresa was in the initial first grade class of St. Margaret Mary grade school and the first graduating class of Madonna High School. She attended Sacred Heart College, now Newman University, in Wichita. She was married for a short time and divorced.

Theresa is preceded in death by her parents Harold and Viola Odiorne, and nephew, Christopher McMillin. She is survived by sisters Molly (Mike) McMillin and Anna (Greg) Cooper; nieces and nephews Scott (Crystal) McMillin, Ashley (Heath) Travnichek, Andy McMillin, John (Jacquie) Cooper and Emma Cooper; grandnieces Hailey and Elise Travnichek and Cate and Claire McMillin, and grandnephew Sam McMillin.

Visitation is from 5:00-6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, at Broadway Mortuary, 1147 S. Broadway, Wichita, Kansas. A rosary will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 2701 S. Pattie, Wichita, followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral mass in her honor. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, 610 S. Vassar, Wichita.

Memorial contributions:

St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church

2701 S. Pattie

Wichita, KS  67216