Helen M. Bator

Helen M. (Rademacher) Bator Helen (Rademacher) Bator, 84, passed away on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at her home in Moses Lake, her loving husband of 61 years at her side. Helen was born in Yakima, WA on April 2, 1927 to Herbert and Thelma Rademacher as the second of seven children. She was raised in Tieton, WA and graduated from Highland High School in 1945. She graduated with high honors from Washington State College (WSC) where she excelled in leadership, scholarship, and extramural involvement. While at WSC, she had many diverse interests including field hockey, fencing, swimming, and ice skating. Her degree was in Physical Education. While attending WSC, she met Edward James Bator, and they married on August 19, 1950 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Yakima. Both went on to teach in the Moses Lake school system. In 1951, they entered the Columbia Basin Project Farm Lottery, and their names were drawn for their choice of farmland. Since Ed had been recalled to the Korean War conflict, Helen selected Farm Unit 113 on upper Crab Creek as her choice, and she was presented with the “Golden Shovel Award” by the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce. They homesteaded and raised their family on the farm, living there until the present. Helen retired from teaching physical education and typing to raise their children. Helen was a faithful Christian with a heart that flowed abundantly with warmth and kindness. She was happiest working in her yard and garden and instilled this love of nature in her children and grandchildren. She supported the success and growth of individuals and was very proud of her family’s accomplishments. Her capacity to laugh, forgive, and seek optimism in every situation was a true testament to her spirit and determination, which she carried through to the end. She will be remembered forever as a rare beauty, an academic, and an athlete. Helen is survived by her husband Edward J. Bator; sons Vincent (Terri) Bator of Warden, WA and Daniel (Laurie) Bator of Moses Lake, WA; grandchildren: Whitney (Kellan Kading) Bator of Seattle, WA; Zane and Deegan Bator of Moses Lake, WA; siblings: Pete Rademacher of Medina, Ohio; John (Margo) Rademacher of Phoenix, Arizona; Mary (Perry) Brown of Lopez Island, WA; Melba Strand of Tieton, WA; and Sharon (Preston) Brown of Yakima, WA. She was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Larry Gilbertson, sister-in-law, Margaret Rademacher and a brother-in-law, Adolph Strand. Viewing will be held at Kayser's Chapel from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 7, 2012 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2011. A “Celebration of Life“ service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Kayser's Chapel in Moses Lake. Private family burial will be held at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake, WA on Friday, March 9, 2012.

Helen M. Bator

April 2, 1927 - February 29, 2012