Taina Marie (Heitz) Radenslaben, 41, of Waverly, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln after a courageous battle with cancer. Because of several battles with cancer since age 14, Taina was able to inspire and counsel others. Her ability to light up a room and her caring, concerning nature earned her many friends. Everyone who came to know her in some way felt blessed. Locally, Taina was a recognized Cancer Survivor icon with the raising of her photo on Susan G Komen Survivor billboards in Lincoln and Omaha. She also participated in many Relay-for-Life fundraisers and social functions of a cancer support group at St. Elizabeth Hospital. First and foremost Taina devoted her attention to her husband, children and family. After a second encounter with cancer, she actively dedicated herself as an advocate for cancer research and support, most notably through the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Taina was born June 17, 1972 at Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus. She attended Leigh Community Schools, where she was a cheerleader and a Pep Club member, and graduated from high school in 1990. Upon graduation, she attended Platte Community College in Columbus and received a degree in office technology. Degree in hand, she began her professional career with the (ESU) Education Service Unit #7 also in Columbus. From there, she advanced and held a number of responsible capacities, office manager being one. Most recently, she served as an associate staff member with the (LEA) Lincoln Education Association.
On March 14, 1998 Taina married the love her life, Cory Radenslaben, in Estes Park, Colo. Taina and Cory were blessed with two wonderful children, Hunter and Ashley. An outdoors person, Taina enjoyed gardening, camping, and fishing trips. A most memorable trip involved a family vacation to Jamaica. She loved playing with her pet dog and cats. Taina also enjoyed attending her children’s school and sporting events as a loyal supporter and proud parent and missed very few events despite her medical condition.
Survivors include her husband, Cory Radenslaben of Waverly; her children, Hunter and Ashley; mother, Darlyn and husband Don Flesher of Fremont; her father, Eugene Heitz of Leigh; a brother, Shawn also of Leigh; a sister, Shannon and husband Chris Weber, of Council Bluffs, Iowa; an uncle, Daryl Wolken, of Callaway; a niece and nephew, Caitlin and Gage Weber of Council Bluffs, Iowa; a mother and father-in-law, Karen and Rich Radenslaben of Lincoln; a brother and sister-in-law, Scott and Sheila Radenslaben of Waverly; another brother and sister-in-law, Troy and Naomi Radenslaben of Westminster, Colo.; niece and nephew, Paige and Dawson Radenslaben, of Waverly; step-brother, Darrin Flesher of Fremont; a step-sister, Denise Bunn of Prescott, Ariz.; and several cousins. Taina was preceded in death by her grandparents and an aunt.
Memorial service: 10:30 Friday at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd. No visitation.
Memorials to the Educational Fund for Taina’s Children.