Joyce Kay Bader

Joyce Kay Bader

May 20, 1942 ~ May 9, 2022

Joyce Kay Bader, 79, passed away May 9, 2022, at the Hot Springs Memorial Hospital in Thermopolis, Wyo., with her loving husband Dale Bader by her side.  She was born May 20, 1942, in Cass Lake, Minn., to LeRoy Marion and Iris Leone (Cravens) Applegate. She was little sister to her brother Lynn and big sister to her brother Larry.  During her childhood, Joyce's family moved to Gering, Neb., and Powell, Wyo., where Joyce would start her elementary education.  A few years later, the family made one final move, and put down roots in Basin, Wyo.  It was there that Joyce graduated in 1961. Throughout school, she enjoyed being a cheerleader and was a carhop at the Big B drive-in.  She loved roller skating and ice skating and was a pleasure to watch as she was very talented.

It was while cheerleading that she caught the eye of a young sailorman, John Rogers.  After graduation, the two were married and moved to Billings, Mont., where Joyce attended business school. It was in Billings that her first daughter, Kelle, was born.  John and Joyce divorced six years later. She then met Leonard Rathie while working at the packing plant.  They married and from this union Joyce gained a stepson Bruce and completed her family with the birth of her daughter Vavi. 

Leonard took a job with the Wyoming Gas Company, and the family moved to Thermopolis, Wyo.  Joyce opened her house, and babysat local children until Vavi was old enough to start school.  She took a job as secretary at TRW Reda Pump until the plant shut down.  After 17 years, Joyce and Leonard divorced.  She moved to Casper for a short stint at the Reda Pump company there. 

It was during visits back to Thermopolis that Joyce met Dale Bader.  After moving back to Thermopolis, the two were married.  Joyce took a job with Messenger and Jurovich as a front-desk secretary.  Dale and Joyce enjoyed camping, fishing, hiking and even motorcycle riding.  At the age of 62, Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/Dementia.  Although she had to retire early, this did not slow her down.  As the disease took over, Dale stepped up and took care of her every need. 

Joyce never met a stranger and has left many friends behind.  Her parents and her husband’s parents preceded her in death.  She is survived by her husband Dale; brothers Lynn (Dee) Applegate of Orem, Utah, and Larry Applegate of Thermopolis, Wyo.; daughters Kelle (Mike) Saldana of Basin, Wyo., and Vavi Rathie of Billings, Mont.; stepsons Bruce (Wanda) Rathie of Billings, Mont., and Christopher McBride of Sheridan, Wyo.; grandchildren Jayden, Logan, Maddy, Topanga and Connor; one great-grandchild, Peyton, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you plant a tree on the mountain, spread wildflowers or add some flowers to your garden.  The world is a little bit darker without Joyce in it — spreading the joy of flowers for all to see will help fill that void. 

Cremation has taken place; a memorial for Joyce will be held at a later date.

 

 

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