December 17, 1934 – April 23, 2024
Barbara Schrader, 89, died peacefully at her home in Bloomington, Indiana, on April 23, 2024.
She was born on December 17th, 1934, in Topeka, Kansas, to Mary (Reeves) Brown and Lyle Brown. A lifelong adventurer with an independent spirit and a dedication to public service and caring for others, Barbara graduated as an RN from the Julia F. Burnham School of Nursing in Champaign, Illinois, in 1956.
She met her spouse of 66 years in Champaign, Bill Schrader, and began a family life and a professional career as a nurse. Barbara’s passions revolved around family and nursing, and she approached everything with enthusiasm and dedication. Barbara volunteered for local mental health clinics and hospitals, but it was her work at the state mental hospital in Evansville, Indiana, in the 60s that ignited her desire to support the mental health of others, particularly the disadvantaged. Barbara became a school nurse with MCCSC in 1969 and worked at many schools, ending her nursing career at Bloomington High School North. Post-retirement, Barbara and Bill enjoyed over 30 years of traveling in their Airstream trailer, with an occasional roller coaster ride squeezed in with their grandchildren now and then!
Barbara is survived by daughters Cindy (Thom), Cathy (Steve Franklin), Cheryl (Billy/Wil), and daughter-in-law Denise Schrader; six grandchildren, Jacob (Sarah) Benson, Jean Marie (Austin) Poore, Samantha Stone, Sophia Gerken, Anya Gerken, and Deanna Sykes; great-grandchildren, Mason Benson, Alex, Isaiah, and Noah Poore, and Kallista and Coby Sykes; brothers Bob and Larry Doyle; sister-in-law, Nancy (Gary) Wehlage, and brother-in-law, Robert (Barbara) Schrader.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill, and son, Mike.
The family would like to thank Wellcare, Southern Indiana Home Care, and I.U. Health Hospice nurses, staff, and volunteers for the exceptional care and love they have shown Barbara.
Barbara’s funeral services will be held on Monday, April 29th, at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Christian Church in Bedford, Indiana. Burial will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens in Bloomington. Visitation will be held at the church from 11 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Arrangements for Barbara Schrader have been entrusted to the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes.
In lieu of flowers, you can donate to NAMI Indiana in honor of Barbara’s lifelong dedication to mental health support. https://www.namiindiana.org/
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.FergusonLee.com.
