Thomas E. Shrader

Thomas E. Shrader, age 71, of Mankato, died on Friday, December 29, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato.

Memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 4, at 6:00 p.m. at Mankato Mortuary.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at a later date at Glenwood Cemetery.

Thomas was born on September 3, 1946 to Emmett Shrader and Louise Penrod in Aurora, IL.  Tom served in the United States Navy and was on the USS Duncan for 45 months.  He was very dedicated to his country.  On October 22, 1972, Tom was married to Darlene Rutjes, the love of his life, until she died in 1980.  Tom was then married to Jane Levernz, they were later divorced. He worked at the Mankato Post Office for 11 years.  Tom loved volunteering.  He began the “Lite-A-Tike” safety program through the VFW and organized and incorporated the Key City Rollers wheelchair basketball team, while in a wheelchair himself.  He enjoyed riding motorcycles and in 1990 organized the annual motorcycle awareness parade in Mankato.  For many years he was involved with motorcycle safety.  Tom spoke to students about Vietnam and was an avid reader of history.  He was a past commander of the VFW Post #950 and a member of American Legion Post #11.  He was a hospice volunteer for 4 years.  Most of all, Tom loved being a grandpa, his three granddaughters meant the world to him. 

Tom is survived by his son, Peter (Theresa) Shrader of Savage; 3 granddaughters, Cassie Mae, Ashley Marie, and Katie Lou Shrader all of Savage; mother, Louise Penrod of North Mankato; sister-in-law, Diane (Harry) Stevenson; aunt, Lucille Swan; nieces, Michelle Olinger and Dawn (Shawn) Bentley; great-nephews, Andrew, Jack, Max, and Will; and cousin, Pamela Riddle.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; father, Emmett; two sisters, Debbie Olinger and Mindy Thielges; nephew, Paul Stevenson; and mother and father-in-law, Peter and Golda Rutjes.