Our beloved father, Kenneth Carl Rader, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 6, 2011. Ken, a native of Santa Rosa, Cali., was born on April 4, 1946 in San Francisco, Cali. to parents Herman Cecil Rader and Hazel Bertha Weitzeil. He is survived by his two daughters and his two sons in law, Sharon Marie Heberer and her husband Christopher Adam Heberer of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Sandra Joan York and her husband Kenneth Andrew York of Las Vegas, Nev. He is also survived by his two nieces, Christine Mathisen and Catherine Spain, both of Santa Rosa, Cali and his beloved dog, Saydee.
Ken loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed many projects that included constructing black powder rifles and fly fishing rods. He also "lived to ride" on his Harley Davidson motorcycle and loved to work on his bike and go out riding with friends.
Ken graduated from Healdsburg High School in 1964 and went on to join the US Army where he proudly served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a tank mechanic with the 25th Infantry Division. In 1968, he married Linda Carlson from Santa Rosa, Cali. and upon his discharge from the Army, they settled in Carson City, Nev. where they raised their two daughters. In October 1992, Ken married Carlene Farris from Carson City, Nev. and they were married for 17 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Howard Rader and Rodger Parker. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 3:00 pm at Walton's Chapel of the Valley in Carson City and a celebration of life will be held immediately afterwards. Ken will always be remembered by his many friends and loved ones for his infectious smile, his amazing sense of humor, his generosity and his passion for the great outdoors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ken's name to the Vietnam Veteran's Association.