Lyle Rader's Memorial Service

New Rader sign

Harvesters lining the highway leading to the farm

Rader raspberry fields

Old Rader truck

Reception at the Rader shop

Ice cream with Rader raspberries

Lyle's first truck he bought new in the early 1960's

old tracker

new tracker

Lyle Rader

Lyle Rader
September 21, 1937-April 23, 2010

Lyle Rader, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, farmer, entrepreneur, skiing buddy, tennis partner and friend passed away on April 23rd, 2010. Lyle was a lifelong achiever, motivator and mentor. He was immediately loved and admired by everyone he met, both personally and professionally, and will be forever missed and loved.

Lyle was born and raised in the Fife Valley and graduated from Fife High School. He was a state wrestling champion in 1955 and in 1959, at the age of 22, Lyle was voted Star Farmer of America by Future Farmers of America, the highest honor that organization can bestow on its members.

Over the past 60 years, Lyle built Rader Farms, Inc. from a small family farm to one of the nation’s leading producers of berries. Lyle’s vision and tireless devotion, coupled with the efforts of his wife Sue, and children Julie and Brad, and their faith that “one can do all things through Christ,” created a company in Rader Farms that currently grows and processes over eight hundred acres of raspberries and blueberries employing over five hundred people. Rader Farms’ berries are distributed internationally through successful partnerships with Costco, Safeway, Meijer, Jamba Juice, Western Family and more.

During his career in agriculture, Lyle was a leader and innovator for farmers across the country, developing and implementing practices at Rader Farms that have been replicated throughout the industry. In addition to building Rader Farms, Lyle served as president of the Washington Red Raspberry Commission where he led national efforts to enhance farming in the United States and to ensure the future viability of American agriculture. His most recent efforts in this arena focused on addressing Chilean fruit dumping, a successful effort that required his testimony in front of the United States Trade Commission.

In 2007, Lyle and his wife Sue sold Rader Farms and the company continues to grow today under the leadership of their son Brad. Over the last few years, Lyle and Sue have been fortunate to form new friendships at their home on Camano Island, the slopes and on various adventures around the world.

Lyle was a devoted Rotarian for thirty-five years where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He also served on several community organizations including chairman of the Fife school board and county land-use committee co-chairman.

Lyle is survived by Sue, his loving wife of 44 years, daughter Julie Newell, her husband Tom, son Brad, his wife Kari, grandchildren Arianna, Sofia and Brooke, sister Doris Hall and brother Leon.

We know Lyle is now reunited with his loving mother, Leolo Wayno, and father, John Rader, who shaped his perseverance, his strong faith in God and his appreciation for this wonderful life.

Private graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 27, in Sumner, WA. A memorial service for Lyle will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 29, 2010 at the Sonlight Community Christian Reformed Church, 8800 Bender Road, Lynden, WA.

Lyle’s family welcomes donations to the Lynden or Fife High School Future Farmers of America programs or to the Mt. Baker Rotary’s Annual Polio campaign, a cause very close to Lyle’s heart.

Memorial donations for Lyle may be sent to Lynden High School FFA, Attn: Teri Hilt 1201 Bradley Rd., Lynden, WA 98264, Fife High School FFA, Attn: Jayne Sanderson 5616 20th Street E., Tacoma, WA 98424 or Mt. Baker Rotary – Polio Plus, Post Office Box 52, Lynden, WA 98264.

Judith Carol Criss Dunham 1950 - 2010

Uncle Don and Aunt Judy as I remember them.

Judith Carol Criss Dunham entered into her loving Lord's presence on February 1st, 2010. She was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, on March 13, 1950, to Warren and Gladys Criss. As a member of the Army military family, Judy ended up settling in Seattle, Washington, in the family's 20th home in 15 years.

As the only sister of five brothers, Judy was a quick study on honing her skills making mud pies, taking care of the family pets which included, but were not limited to cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, white mice, chameleon, tropical fish, even a piranha, garter snake and a friend's tarantula. She had the opportunity to baby-sit the brothers and, loving horses, she took riding lessons. Some of her more formal lady-like activities included proper tea setting. She even saw the value of having long finger nails to make it easier to pick up bugs. Judy was an easy going avid reader and enjoyed singing in the choir. She was active in church youth activities.

Upon graduation from Redmond High School, Judy enrolled in the University of Washington School of Nursing. Her summer experiences included driving a "Joe" truck selling ice cream bars to children and a homenursing summer mission trip to Bangor, Maine. She was active at the Baptist Student Union and was a resident at the University Christian Union Woman's House. Don was a resident of the Men's house and they cunducted a joint open house at which Judy was a greeter. Mom Dunham was so impressed that she informed Don that he needed to take notice. That began the 35-year love affair between the two of them, the love of each other's lives. Judy began her nusing career at the University of Washington Hospital for one year while Don completed his senior year. They then moved to Yakima where she served at Memorial Hospital's ICU, Dr. Scott Lee's office, and most recently Memorial Hospital Home Health.

Judy was full of life, whether it was raising a garden, raising livestock in the pasture, raising fish in the pond or raising three wonderful children. Catching fish would be a different story; Don may come home with his tail sheepishly between his legs. Don and judy both enjoyed doing outdoor activities with faimly and friends.

Judy is a member of West Side Church where she has displayed her greatest love of all, being a servant of her Lord and Savoir, Jesus Christ. She has served as a Deaconess and as a member and chair of the Children's Ministry Team. Additionally, she has served as a Sunday school teacher and AWANA leader and director. Judy was a lady of many, many different hats. If there were kids there, you most likely could find Judy. Sarari excursion, Bible land, board games, story-time, soccer camp, Daily Vacation Bible School, hiking, campfire, picnic, boating, baking, horseback riding, ladies tea and the list goes on. Judy has touched the lives of so many others in ways we can only imagine. Her bright smile and warm heart truly reflect the love and glory of God.

She was preceded in death by  her father, Warren Criss, maother-in-law, Katherine Dunham and her husband, Donald Dunham.

She is survived by her mother Gladys Criss of Bothell, WA; son Warren and wife Debbie Dunham of Auburn, WA; daughter, Lisa Dunham and friend Bruce Weigel, both of Yakima, WA; son Joshua, wide Shelby Dunham and grandson Ian Dunham of Auburn, WA. She is also survived by her five brothers: Dave Criss of Kennewick, WA; Dennis and wife Barb Criss of Gaston, OR; Dwaine and wife Patti Criss of Escondido, CA; Darrell and wife Charlotte Criss of Auburn, WA; and Dean and wife Debbie Criss of Lynden, WA. Judy is also survived by her three brothers-in-law: Chuck Dunham of Yakima, WA; Calvin and wife Fran Dunham of Anchorage, AK; Herb and wife Robbin Dunham of Wasilla, AK. Additionally, she is survived by nine nieces and 13 nephews.

Hib Kuiper

Please pray for the Kuiper family. Yesterday morning Hib Kuiper, Raphael Neff's father-in-law, had a heart attack and passed away an hour later at the age of 48. Raph and Jo visited a week ago and took this picture.

He is Home!

Pastor Bryan Pollock is now with the Lord. Here is what his oldest son wrote on their blog:

My dad passed away tonight at 10pm. It was a peaceful passing as he merely fell asleep and awoke in Heaven. Though our separation is painful, we know that God causes all things to work together for good, and we rest tonight in His goodness. "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2nd Cor. 5:1)

We will post the time and place of the services as soon as they are established.

Rejoicing in the mercy of God!
Jonathan