Gerald Radder

1931 - 2023

Gerald Radder August 22, 1931 - April 11, 2023

Gerald "Gerry" Allen Radder, 91, of Camano Island, Washington, passed away on April 11th, 2023.

Gerry was born on August 22nd, 1931 to Peter Radder and Jessie "Willey" Radder in Lynden Washington. Gerry was the second born of six children. He spent his childhood growing up in Whatcom County.

On November 20th, 1950 Gerry joined the Air Force and was stationed at F.E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

During his four years of service in the Air Force he was trained in Special Vehicle Operations and became a Technical Instructor. During his time in the Air Force he received a National Defense Service Medal for Good Conduct. At his time of honorable discharge on November 19th, 1954 he was a Technical Sergeant for the 3450th Technical Training Group. During his service at F.E. Warren AFB he met and married Blanche Klouda from Laramie, Wyoming on February 7th, 1953 in Cheyenne. They lived in Cheyenne where their first child, a son, Wayne Allen Radder, was born on December 18th, 1954.

Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force they moved their family to his home state of Washington in 1955 settling in Kirkland. They had their second child, a daughter, Rebecca (Radder) Getz in 1957 followed by their third child, a son, Craig Stephan Radder in 1958.

Gerry spent most of his professional career as a Warehouse Manager. In his free time he spent doing what he loved most, being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.

His favorite activities were hunting, fishing, geoducking, crabbing, clamming, mushroom hunting, and pointing out edibles in the wild. The thing he loved most was foraging for the elusive Morel mushroom every spring.

He didn't enjoy these activities alone. Throughout the year there were day, evening, weekend and week long trips with his family to harvest something, where he would pass on his vast knowledge. Yes, we all learned how to harvest geoducks, clean them and cook them!

Gerry loved his family and home life. He was an active partner in life along with Blanche. He was a home cook and made the best meatloaf hands down. He loved his home garden of fruit trees, berries and vegetables. Canning and freezing most of the harvest and perfected the perfect blackberry dump cake.

Gerry retired with Blanche to Camano Island where they built their retirement home. He and Blanche loved to travel in their motorhome and spent the winters in Arizona.

Gerry had a positive outlook on life which he extended to all his family and friends. Seeing the best in everyone and extending acceptance to all. He loved to laugh and was full of jokes, most of which were silly but his laughter was contagious.

Gerry is preceded in death by his wife Blanche Radder of Camano Island, WA; his son Wayne Allen Radder of Marysville, WA; his sisters Margaret, Jan and Sharon; his brother Peter.

Gerry is survived by his daughter Rebecca "Radder" Getz of Lake Cavanaugh, WA; his son Craig Stephan Radder of Camano Island, WA; his sister Carole "Radder" Mauldin of Florida; grandchildren Douglas Radder, Lacey Frigard, Jonathan Frigard (Lindy Frigard); Great-grandchildren Sophie Radder, Kennedy Frigard and Adeline Frigard and many nieces and nephews.

A service will be held on July 14th, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Cheyenne National Cemetery. Gerry and Blanche will be laid to rest together where their story began, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.