Larabeth Ann Bader

Larabeth Bader was born on October 23, 1935, in Clear Lake, to Lawrence and Elizabeth (Bardsley) Folsom. She grew up in Mason City, graduating from Mason City High and then Iowa State Teachers College, with a bachelor’s degree in music. 

When teaching music and English in the La Porte City Community School District, she met Keith John Bader. They were united in marriage on September 10, 1960, at the First Methodist Church, Mason City. They lived on a farm north of Dysart. For a time, Larabeth taught elementary music for the Dysart-Geneseo Community School District.

For 30 years, Larabeth directed the junior and/or senior choirs at Geneseo United Methodist Church. A member of the Geneseo Quartet, she was also an active member of the Geneseo UMC Women.

Larabeth had many interests, including singing in Waterloo’s Metropolitan Chorale, gardening, playing bridge, and attending concerts and plays. She loved to knit, read, work on crossword puzzles, and travel. 

In 2000, Keith and Larabeth moved to Dysart. They moved to Western Home Assisted Living in Waterloo in 2018. After Keith’s death, she moved to West Des Moines in 2022.

Larabeth passed away peacefully at Arbor Springs, on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

Larabeth is survived by daughters Kathryn Bader (Patricia Schnedar) of Oakland, California, and Karey Bader of Des Moines; son Kent Bader of West Des Moines; grandchild Chase Schulte; and sister Linda (David) Hamilton. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Mary Jane Fix; her in laws; and two brothers in law. 

Visitation: Monday, October 30, from 4-7 pm, Overton Funeral Home, Dysart. 

Services: Tuesday, October 31, at 1:30 pm, Geneseo Methodist Church, Buckingham.

Memorials: Send to Arbor Springs or Suncrest Hospice, West Des Moines.

Condolences may be left at www.overtonfuneralservices.com