Obituary: John William Rader

John William Rader died at his home on Washington Island with his family beside him. John was born in Marinette, Wis., to Doris and Ervin Rader. He grew up in Marinette, attended Trinity Elementary and Marinette High Schools. He attended the University of Wisconsin Madison, majoring in Political Science. He married his high school sweetheart, Jacquelyn (Vincent) and they were blessed with a wonderful son, Johnny. During his college years, he worked in the State Senate as a page and worked with someone who would be an influence on his later life, a young law student named Tommy Thompson. After college, John worked for the Public Expenditure Survey, working on behalf of Wisconsin taxpayers. When Tommy Thompson became governor, he appointed John to several positions in the Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations (DILHR), and Department of Revenue. John later became the Deputy State Treasurer. He and Jackie discovered and fell in love with Washington Island in the late 1970s. They bought land in 1990 and dreamed about the home they would build there someday. In 2007 they fulfilled their dream and built their retirement house on the island. He was a member of the Washington Island Town Board for two terms, before being elected as Town Chairman. A memorial service will be held on Washington Island on April 14. Visitation will begin at 10 am, with the service at 11 am, lunch to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Washington Island Community Health Program, the Washington Island Foundation or Trinity Lutheran Church.