Colleen (Gauchat) Rader

Colleen (Gauchat) Rader, 96, formerly of Brock was born on May 21st, 1927, on the family farm just outside of Brock, Nebraska to Leonard Sr. and Elreta (Green) Gauchat. Colleen attended school in Brock and graduated from Brock High School with the class of 1944. After graduating high school, she attended Wesleyan University for two years and then transferred to Peru State College to finish out college in 1948.

On February 7th, 1948, Colleen married Virgil Rader. They went on to have two children, Bradley and Devon. Throughout Colleen’s life she was very active and always up and moving. She had several jobs including the meter plant, Ford garage, in the office at the Nemaha County Hospital, the Nemaha County Assessor’s office and finally First Federal Lincoln Bank where she retired. Colleen also had an immense passion for music and for gardening. She loved to play the organ at the Methodist Church in Brock and piano in her home. Colleen also loved to play her bugle along while the TV played old time music in the background. Her beautiful, massive garden was on a corner lot, just down the street from her home in Brock. Rhubarb and asparagus were amongst her favorites. She loved to be busy. If she wasn’t cleaning or gardening, she would be reading the Omaha World Herald from cover to cover. Crossword puzzles, dominos, and card games were amid the other activities Colleen truly enjoyed up until her passing.

Colleen passed away on December 7th, 2023, at the Ambassador Heath Care Facility in Nebraska City, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of 96 years, 6 months, and 16 days. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Virgil, sister Janet (Gauchat) Bierman, and sister-in-law Fern Gauchat.

Colleen is survived by her children: Bradley Rader and his wife Barbara of Shell Knob, MO; Devon Volkman and husband Dennis of Auburn, NE; brothers, Leonard Gauchat Jr., and Daniel & Ardis Gauchat of Johnson, NE; Five grandchildren, Travis & Halel Rader of Springfield, MO; Traid & Robin Rader of Lincoln, NE; Tirsa & Jonathon Sinclair of Auburn, IL; Cailyn & Luke Winkelman of Peru, NE; Brenden & Haley Volkman of Nebraska City, NE; six wonderful great grandchildren: Abigail and Giada Sinclair, Gabriel and Clancy Winkelman, Teagan and Tenley Volkman, along with so many other family and friends. She will be truly missed.

A graveside service inurnment will be held 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Lafayette Cemetery outside of Brock, Nebraska with Dorothy Smith officiating.

Memorial contributions may be given to the family’s choice with a later designation.

Condolences can be shared online at www.hallfuneral.net.

Services entrusted to Hall Funeral Chapel-707 15th Street-Auburn, NE 68305 (402) 274-3131.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Colleen (Gauchat) Rader, please visit our floral store.