Helen Raders

Helen Lavonne Raders passed away peacefully in the home of her daughter in Denver on Friday November 6, 2020.  She was surrounded by her daughters Sheri Raders and Lou Raders and her son-in-law, Philip Johnson.

Born to hard working farming parents in Strawberry Point, Iowa, Helen was raised with two brothers, Max and Jim.

Her young life was filled with fresh air, faith, lots of animals and wonderful food grown and prepared by her mother, Freda, to whom Helen remained so close throughout her life.

After finishing high school, Helen married Kenneth Lou Raders, a WWII veteran, also from Strawberry Point Iowa.

The young couple had three children, Sheri, Jim and Mary ‘Lou’, while Ken continued his education at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  Ken died of cancer when he was 30 and Helen was just 26.  As a young widow, Helen picked up the pieces of her life, bought a house in Iowa City and raised her children to successful adults.

Helen worked in healthcare, making a career as an office manager for an ophthalmic clinic for 39 years.

After retiring in 2002, Helen had more time for her many hobbies including gardening, stained glass, Hawkeye sports, aerobics, dancing and spending time with her many friends.

She especially loved her papillon puppy, Jenny, who provided 14 years of amazing companionship to Helen in her later years.

In 2013, Helen moved to Denver to be close to her two daughters, Sheri and Lou.

When the Covid19 pandemic hit the US, Helen moved in with daughter Lou and her husband Phil in March, 2020 where she remained until her passing.

She is survived by her three children and their families (although her beloved son-in-law Gene Burden, Sheri’s husband, predeceased her in 2015), by her brother Jim Waring and his wife Fran in Waterloo, Iowa and by many friends, step-grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Helen had an engaging smile that drew people to her and a kind heart kept them there.  She will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.

Is that Her?
A Poem by Lou Raders for her Mother Helen

The quiet is stark.
The rhythmic sound of air flowing, silenced.
The constant concern, over.
She is gone.

Grief fills in the void.
Organizing consumes the time.
Long and near memories are revisited.
Smiling photos gaze back.

But somehow she consoles.
Is that Her?
The brighter than usual stars.
Is that Her?

The tiny green-winged bug.
Green was Her favorite color.
Is that Her?

The larger than usual flock of sparrows in the tree.
Flying closer, landing to look through the window.
Directly at me, with small head movements, adjusting to see me.
Beckoning me to look back.
Is that Her?

The layered clouds make a face.
Is that Her?

I miss Her so much.
Even while in Her enveloping and embracing presence.