Visitation will be 5:00-6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the church, concluding with a prayer service at 6:30.

Cleo Rae Rademacher was born on February 20th, 1939, to Charles and Bertha (Lenius) Rademacher. The oldest of four children, Cleo was raised on the family farm near Amherst, and attended all 12 grades of school in Amherst, graduating in 1957. She attended college at Northern State College in Aberdeen, receiving her teaching certificate. She taught grade school in Amherst.

Cleo Rademacher and Irwin Symens were united in marriage on June 19th, 1959, at the First Lutheran Church in Britton. They made their home on their farm site near Amherst, where both lived until their passings. They had four children, Susan, Jeannine, Connie, and Brad.

Cleo was dedicated to her family, church, and community and had a passion for helping others. She touched many lives as a Sunday School and VBS teacher, Reformed Church Women’s Ministry member, a member of the Weston Township board, a 4H leader, a volunteer with the Food Pantry and many other organizations. She was the cochair for the Marshall County Relay for Life for many years. Cleo was a living example of how one person can truly make a difference.

Cleo passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at Marshall County Healthcare Center in Britton at the age of 85.

Blessed to have shared her life are her children Susan (Scott) Hardina, Jeannine (Ken) Walker, Connie (Jason) Christians, and Brad (Jenn) Symens. Seven grandchildren; Steven (Shannon Raby) Hardina, Jessica (Aaron) Janssen, Lauren (Trever Neal) Hardina, Ashley (Brad) Van Tubergen, Samantha (Max) Armstrong, Michelle (Jesse) DeKam, Elizabeth (Jacob) Chamberlain: seven greatgrandchildren, Sophie, Lily and Carter DeKam, Kaylee Neal, Walker and Noah Armstrong, and Virginia Chamberlain; sister Shirley (Roger) Schuller, sister-in-law Ruth Rademacher, and in-laws Aletha Prouty, David Symens, Karen (Darrel) Jongeling, Paul (Faye) Symens, Doris Armstrong, John (Shirley) Symens, and Craig Schmidle.

Preceding Cleo in death were her husband Irwin Symens, her parents Charles and Bertha Rademacher, brother Burton Rademacher, sister Vicky Witham, grandson Ethan Christians, and inlaws Lamoyne Prouty, Gene Armstrong, Herman Symens, Judy Symens, Marjorie Symens, Faye Schmidle, and Claire Witham.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to honor Cleo’s wishes and consider a donation to Marshall County Relay for Life – PO Box 734 – Britton, SD 57430. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of Brad Symens – PO Box 214 – Amherst, SD 57421.

An online guestbook and obituary are available at www. olsonfuneralchapel.com