Marian B. Shrader

Published 9:48 am Wednesday, March 21, 2018

June 14, 1926 – February 23, 2018

Marian B. Shrader, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and a dear friend to many others, passed away peacefully February 23, 2018, at her home near Bend, Oregon.

She was born on June 14, 1926, in Stockton, California, to Albina Bernardi and Mariano Castro. She was lovingly raised by her Aunt Lucy and Uncle Al Davis. She was a child of the Great Depression and fully understood the value of caring for a family and those in need.

Marian met the love of her life, Kenneth F. Shrader, at a roller skating rink during World War II. Ken was in the U.S. Navy having just arrived to the San Francisco Bay area. They remained forever in love and devoted to one another and their family for 74 years.

Over the years, as their family grew to five children, she worked outside the home as needed. Marian always excelled in these part-time jobs, but her family was always her first priority. Later, she became a very successful real estate agent. She would continuously accept lower commissions to help young families and others buy their first homes.

Marian and Ken made their home in the East San Francisco Bay area. They picked up and moved to rural Eastern Washington after the birth of their second grandchild. As was their nature, they quickly became part of a tight-knit farming community. They later moved to their present home in Bend, Oregon, to be closer to future grandchildren. They lived there for 29 years.

Marian always believed in lifelong learning and the need for education and practiced this throughout her life. She made sure that all five children graduated from college and encouraged them to pursue any and all opportunities to continue to educate themselves.

She was proud of her Italian and Mexican heritage and traced the Mexican side of her family prior to California statehood in 1849.

Marian is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth F. Shrader; daughters, Maria Bell, Marguerite Benda (David); and sons, Steven Shrader (Peggy), Michael Shrader, Dennis Shrader (Susan); and grandchildren, Joshua Shrader (Vestalee), Jesse Shrader (Leah), Heather Shrader, Ashley Renton (Knut), Sophia and Max Boell, Grace and Faith Benda; great-grandchild, Charlotte Shrader; Marian’s loving sister, Nancy Manfredi (Ralph); and several nieces and nephews.

A Mass for Christian burial was held on March 17, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Old St. Francis Catholic Church in downtown Bend. Thanks to all family and friends for their love and support. We would also like to thank the incredible people of St. Charles Hospice of Bend. The family suggests memorial contributions to St. Charles Hospice of Bend.