Larry W. Rader

Larry William Rader, 89, died peacefully at home on August 12, 2025.

He was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1936, in Wausau, the son of Felix and Violet (Zahn) Rader. Larry married Diane Mary LaMere on September 16, 1961, at St. Andrew Catholic Church, St. Paul, Minn.; she predeceased him.

Larry received his Juris Doctorate degree from Marquette University Law School in 1960 and was admitted to the Wisconsin Bar the same year. Following law school, he served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in the Staff Judge Advocate office at Fort Lee, Va., with Commendation. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1974 and was also licensed to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

For over 30 years, Larry was a corporate Director, Officer and General Counsel for Marine Travelift, Inc., and its related companies, Kewaunee Engineering Corporation, Shuttlelift, Inc., MTI Leasing Ltd., MTI International Sales Ltd., and Kewaunee Inner Harbor Marina, Inc., which manufactures customized boat handling systems, lifting equipment, ship deck machinery and steel fabrication for the marine, shipbuilding and industrial sector for domestic and international distribution. Throughout his career, he also engaged in appellate review.

Larry was also involved in community service, having served as president of United Cerebral Palsy of Marathon County from 1968 to 1970 and as secretary on the state board from 1970 to 1975, as well as president of the Wausau Optimist Club from 1966 to 1967.

Larry enjoyed staying physically and mentally active. An avid walker, he could be seen strolling two to three miles a day in all seasons, right up to the days before his passing. A lifelong music enthusiast, he always had something playing in the house or car. He was also an avid reader, particularly of mysteries and historical biographies. Larry especially enjoyed listening to Milwaukee Brewers games on the radio. He loved going out to eat, particularly for breakfast, and was a regular at the Mint Café during the 1970s and ’80s, where he could be seen nearly every weekday morning enjoying coffee and a cinnamon roll while reading the paper.

A devout Catholic, Larry attended Mass weekly for most of his life and nearly every day for the past 20 years, grounding his life in faith and devotion.

He is survived by five of his seven children: Anne Marie Rader, Arlington, Va.; Elizabeth (Frank) Delbovi, Stevens Point; Katherine (Daniel) Gunn, St. Louis, Mo.; John (Lisa) Rader, Sussex; and Mary (Sean) Barnes, Mooresville, N.C., and seven grandchildren: Katherine, William, and Madeline Rader; Timothy, Brendan, and Clare Gunn; and Lauren Barnes. He was preceded in death by his two eldest sons, Thomas Rader and Christopher Rader.

Larry is also survived by a brother, Thomas Rader, Wisconsin Rapids, and his sister, Mary (John) Schremp, Lake DuBay.

Larry loved his children and grandchildren, who affectionately called him Boppa, and enjoyed visiting with them. Larry dearly missed his beloved wife Diane, who died in March 2006. Before they were engaged in 1960, Larry gave Diane a gold music box inscribed, AMABO TE IN AETERNITATE, “I will love you in eternity.” He was close to all his children, the Carmelite Nuns and the Jesuits.

God Bless you Dad and Mom.

With all our Love, your children.

A private Catholic Mass will be held on Friday, August 22, with entombment immediately following at the Christus Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, where he will be laid to rest beside Diane, both with their Carmelite scapulars.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carmelite Hermitage, 824 Mount Carmel Road, Lake Elmo, MN (www.carmelitehermitage.org) or the Woodson YMCA, Wausau (www.ymca.org/locations/woodson-ymca).

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.