Bonnie June Rader
June 20, 1937 – March 11, 2023
Bonnie June Rader passed away unexpectedly on Saturday morning, March 11, 2023. She was born the youngest of 6 on June 20, 1937, to John and Lydia Nickel in Orienta, Oklahoma. Bonnie grew up in Orienta, Enid, and Fairview. She told many stories of her large family and the farm where she was raised. Finding she had a self-taught talent for music, Bonnie enjoyed playing cornet in the school band and the organ at home and in church. After graduating from Fairview High School in 1955, she wed Don Rader on June 2, 1956, and they were happily married 63 years before his passing in 2019. They lived in the house they built in Edmond for more than 50 years.
Bonnie was a stay-at-home Mom who was always ready to hear all about the school day, to help with homework, or drive the kids to a sports practice or game. After marriage and being inspired by her loving mother-in-law, she became a gifted baker and vegetable canner, even though she never wanted to learn those things as she was growing up. Bon, as she was known to her husband and close friends, enjoyed politics and served as an election worker at the local polling location. This gave her an opportunity to visit with neighbors and meet others in her community. She and Don enjoyed being on the go, traveling frequently after his retirement in 2001. They were active members of the Oklahoma Mustang Club, competing in and winning many car shows over the years. They treasured the friendships that they built both locally and across the country. Bonnie's failing eyesight over the last several years of her life prevented her from enjoying many of the activities that she loved. She will be missed greatly and fondly remembered by those who knew her best and loved her most.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, and 3 sisters, and her husband Don. She is survived by her daughter Melanie Rader of Edmond, son Bret Rader and wife Kary of Fort Worth, TX and daughter Sheree' Foutch and husband Bill of Edmond. She also leaves behind 3 beloved grandchildren, Sabrina, Nash, and Brady Rader of Fort Worth.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. in the Matthews Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will take place following the service at 1 p.m. at Arlington Memory Gardens, 3400 N Midwest Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73141.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but are not able to. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on 'Videos', then 'Live Streams'.