Obituary of Ann Marie Rader

Ann Marie Rader, 84, of Jefferson, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023.

Born in Elkhorn, WI on December 21, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Josephine (Deschner) Bigelow. Ann married the love of her life, James Leo Rader Sr. on August 18, 1956. To this union they were blessed with six children. James preceded Ann in death in 1973.

Ann was a devoted mother and homemaker.  She entered the workforce with a certificate from MATC and worked for over 20 years for Nasco in the Plastics and Advertising Departments. She was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Atkinson.

Ann loved to read, garden and was an excellent baker. She was well known for her amazing chocolate chip pie. She had a jolly personality, always a positive attitude with everyone she met. Her greatest joys were the memories she had of early life with Jim Sr. and times with her grandchildren and great grandchildren laughing and telling stories and jokes.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Lance) Shanahan; sons, Tom Rader, Gary (Marcia) Rader, and Bill (Melanie) Rader; daughter in-law, Patsy Rader; nine grandchildren, Jim (Nikki) Rader, Sarah Shanahan, Melissa (A.J.) Beck, Rachel (John) Shaw, Katherine Shanahan, Alex (Tayler Brown )Shanahan, Brandon (Heather Schultz) Rader, David Rader and Maddie (Bryce Peche) Rader; and five great grandchildren,  Will Rader, Anna Shaw, Sydney Shaw, Johnny Shaw, and Thomas Beck.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Sr., sons, Jim Jr. and Pat Rader; sister, Marcella Foerster; brother, Kenneth Bigelow and her parents Frank and Josephine Bigelow.

The family would like to thank the staff at Fort Hospital, Commonheart Home Health and Rainbow Hospice for their amazing care during Ann’s illness.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.