In Loving Memory of Paul Reinhold Bader

The life of Paul Bader was a daily record of the grace and mercy of our loving LORD.

Paul Reinhold Bader was the gift of God, born December 19 ^th , 1926, to Michael and Sophia (Wall) Bader in their rural home in Cheyenne County, Kansas, the youngest of nine children. Paul received the washing of Holy Baptism into the Christian faith as an infant at the rural Salem Lutheran Church northwest of St. Francis, Kansas. After instruction in God's Word, Paul confessed his faith publicly at his confirmation on June 29 ^th , 1941, at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Francis, Kansas. His confirmation Bible passage was Psalm 56:11 "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." Later Paul served his country in the United States Marine Corps from October of 1951 until he was honorably discharged in October of 1953. He then returned to the family farm in Kansas.

Our LORD united Paul in marriage to Rita Bartholoma at the base chapel at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, on October 30, 1952. The couple made their home on the family farm in Cheyenne County, Kansas, until 1955, when they moved to North Platte, Nebraska, where Paul began his career as a professional photographer. Two years later, in 1957, they moved to Grand Island, Nebraska, where Paul and Rita were employed at Lumbard-Leshinsky Studio. In June of 1971 they moved their family to Valentine, Nebraska, where they began their own photography business, Bader Studio.

One of Paul's great passions throughout his lifetime was playing music with family and friends. When growing up on the farm, he enjoyed many happy evenings playing music with his brother, Robert. In the 1980s he formed his band, the Heart City Heart-Warmers, which brought smiles to countless faces at benefits, celebrations, and community events in the area for many decades. Over the years, his tenor voice and musical talents were heard on the radio and on the stage in a multi-state area. In 2002 Paul was honored by his induction into the Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame.

God the Holy Spirit nurtured Paul's faith in Jesus our Savior with His Word and Sacrament as a long-time member here at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Valentine. In thankfulness for our LORD's blessings, Paul put his gifts to use in the congregation by singing in the church choir, and by serving in numerous offices on the church council throughout the years. He also served in a variety of ways in the community, including many years as a member of the Valentine Senior Center Board of Directors. He was the last living member of the original board of the Senior Center. God gifted Paul with a quiet confidence in our Savior's promises found in His Holy Word, and with a servant's heart. Even in the trying times of illness and pain, Paul's gentle humor and compassionate encouragement of others reflected the peace and joy he had in knowing Jesus his Savior. The Holy Spirit blessed Paul with the humble certainty of heaven's glory which Jesus has prepared for all who trust in Him.

Last Sunday evening, January 21 ^st , while peacefully surrounded by his family, Paul heard Jesus' voice calling his soul out of this world, to the eternal joys of his home in heaven. His soul departed this life to be with our LORD Jesus from their home in Valentine, after experiencing more than 91 years of God's grace and blessing here in this world.

Paul leaves the following to await a reunion with him in heaven: his wife of more than 65 years, Rita, of Valentine; children, Bill (and Connie) of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Tim (and Kathy) of Valentine, Nebraska, Randy (and Carolyn) of Watertown, South Dakota, and Rhonda (and Fred) Klaszus of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; sister-in-law Delsie Bader of Sutton, Nebraska; fourteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.     Paul was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings: Marie, Lydia, Othelia, Richard, Fredrick, Meta, Otto, and Robert.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, they will rest from their labor…." -- Revelation 14:13

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Zion Lutheran Church of Valentine or the Valentine Senior Center.

Funeral service for Paul Bader will be held Friday, January 26, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church in Valentine at 1:00 P.M.  Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 25th at 3:00 at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines