Sally Rader

Sally Ann (Hansen) Rader 88, of Willard, Missouri, passed away Sunday, July 27, 2025. She was born on August 2, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Ted and Polly (Harden) Hansen. 

Sally was preceded in death by her parents; Theodore (Ted) John Hansen and Mildred Pauline (Polly) Hansen, her brother Theodore (Ted) Hansen and grandson Nicholas David Rader. 

She is survived by Jerome Rader, her husband of 68 years; her siblings: Joyce James, Mary Tibbetts and John Hansen (all of the greater Des Moines, Iowa area); children: Michael Rader (Willard, Missouri), Susan Anglin (Mark, Hernando, Mississippi), Diane Jewell (Chris, Fair Grove, Missouri) and Mark Rader (Christine, Willard, Missouri). 

Her grandchildren were a great passion, and she was very proud of all their accomplishments: Sam Anglin, Shelby Thompson, Gabe Crain, Brody Crain, and Elijah Rader, along with bonus grandchildren Tyler Jewell, Megan Henry and Caitlin McHaffie and their families. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Brayden, Hadlie, Ellis, Cooper and Michael. 

Sally raised her children on the family farm near Willard and taught them a lifelong love for Lawrence Welk music, picking rocks out of the field, digging thistles, and feeding cattle on cold winter mornings. 

Once her kids had left the home she dedicated her time to her career as a rural mail carrier, rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals, and volunteering at the Willard Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir for many years. 

Sally spent countless hours towards organizations such as the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Meals on Wheels, the Willard Clothing Bank, Newborns in Need, Children’s Miracle Network and donated untold pints of blood to the American Red Cross. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to your charity of choice to support children in need.

Memorial service was at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Willard Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. Visitation began prior to the services at 9:30 a.m. with graveside services at a later date.