Raymond Bader

RAYMOND F. BADER

Cedar Rapids

Ray Bader passed away peacefully May 13, 2016, at the home of his daughter in Denver, Colo., surrounded by family.

He was born Dec. 29, 1929, on a farm outside of Anamosa, Iowa, to Thomas N. and Anna M. (Oswald) Bader. He started school in a one-room school house in Fairview and attended grade school in Martelle before moving to Cedar Rapids in 1942. He graduated in 1946 from Immaculate Conception High School, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. In his first game as a pitcher, he threw a no-hitter. He later went on to play some semi-pro baseball.

Ray met Helen Pospisil of Mount Vernon in the summer of 1949. He served two years in the Army and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Upon his return, he married Helen on Oct. 3, 1953.

They moved in 1957 to Casper, Wyo., where Ray began a 32-year career with Northern Utilities/Northern Gas Co., retiring in 1989.

He was past president of Casper Exchange Club, advisor with Junior Achievement and life member of Elks Club. Since 1957, Ray was a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, where he was a lector and Eucharistic Minister. He was a driver for Meals on Wheels for 20 years after his retirement.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, four sisters, his wife, and infant daughter, Theresa.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy (Terry) Clarke of Denver; son, Ray (Jill) of Casper; daughter, Mary (David) Johnson of Lake Elmo, Minn.; son, Don (Julie) of Shasta, Calif.; daughter, Julie (Mark) Shumate of Winter Haven, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A rosary is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper. Services will be at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Casper, at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, with Father Robert Fox officiating.

Memorial contributions in Ray's honor may be made to Natrona County Meals on Wheels, 1760 E. 12th St., Casper, WY 82601, or to the cause nearest to your heart.