Ivan Mader

Ivan "Ike" Mader, age 87, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Parkview Heights in Garnett.

Ivan Frederick Mader was born in Garnett, Kansas, on December 28, 1937. Ike was the second of four children born to Walt and Dorothy (Brummel) Mader. In early 1941, he moved with his family to Long Beach, California, then to Portland, Oregon. During this time, his Uncle Ernie ran a tavern in Portland that was quite the "hopping place." His uncles, Luke and Frank and his father purchased a parts and welding shop. When the war ended and the shipyards shut down, his family learned of a secret project that became the Hanford Nuclear Facility. When his father secured a job there, the family moved to Richland, Washington. Ike fondly remembered this time, especially living in a bus, as the area was ideal for an outdoor kid. He and his friends spent hours floating in irrigation ditches, where the rides were always better right after the water flow was opened. He also recalled one adventure floating down the Columbia River on a 2×4 with his brother, Jim, and a neighbor boy-an event for which his mother surely deserved "sainthood." He even raised about 100 fantail pigeons in the bathhouse. Ike later visited the Hanford Facility in 2011 as a tourist.

Ike moved back to Garnett in 1950. He attended grade school at St. Peter's Catholic School in Portland and finished at Holy Angels in Garnett. He fondly recalled days when he and his brother Jim would jump on the train, ride a short way, and then jump off to walk the rest of the way to school. He graduated from Garnett High School with the Class of 1955. Ike was always making something, a mechanical skill he maintained throughout his life. He cherished the stilts he made, though one trip on them resulted in a broken arm with a protruding bone fracture, earning him a week-long stint in the hospital.

He joined the 101st Airborne of the U.S. Air Force in September 1958 with his good friend, Ron Sobba. They served for two years and reentered civilian life in September 1960.

He was united in marriage to Marcia French on November 3, 1973. This union was blessed with four children, Jennifer, Emily, Meghann and Gabriel. Ike was a faithful member of Holy Angels Catholic Church. One of Ike's favorite words was Amen. In his final years, when dementia had taken many of Ike's memories he could still recite every word of the Mass.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Dorothy Mader; his brother, James; and his infant sister, Marilyn.

He is survived by his wife, Marcia Mader, of the home; his children: Jenni Dean and husband Doug of Shawnee, Kansas, Emily Ballou and husband Terry of Fontana, Kansas, Meghann Bohle and husband Greg of St. James, New York, and Gabe Mader and wife Jessi of Olathe, Kansas. Ike was a cherished grandpa to eleven grandchildren: Ellie Dean, Sam Dean, Trevor Ballou, Madison Ballou, Rayelle Ballou, Scout Ballou, Landen Bohle, Brady Bohle, Scarlett Bohle, Norah Mader, and Declan Mader; sister, Judy Mader of Garnett, Kansas; and sister in law, Dixie Mader of Collinsville, Oklahoma; along with numerous other family and friends.

The family of Ike would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Parkview Heights as well as St. Luke's Hospice, especially Tiffany, Tabitha, and Sue, for their care and compassion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, October 3, 2025, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Garnett, Kansas. A Rosary will be said at 6:00PM on Thursday evening at Holy Angels Church, followed by visitation. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Angels Church or St. Rose School and left in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com