On a beautiful spring day, April 9, 1940, twin sons Thomas Elliott and Donald Albert were born to Maude and Raymond Bader in Freeport, Illinois. They joined their older brother James to complete the family.  

During Tom’s youth, the Bader family traveled to the Lake Wisconsin area on summer weekends, and Tom fell in love with the region. His family owned a marina called "Rocky Shores” which piqued his interest in Mercury Outboard Motors and boat restoration.  

After high school graduation, Tom attended college for a short time and then was drafted by the Army. He became a Private in the Big Red Division and proudly served his country.

After his Army tour, he returned to Freeport and worked for Micro Switches. During this time, he joined the Masonic Lodge and became a 32nd degree Mason.  Tom was a member of the Scottish Rite for 62 years. He was a man of great character and compassion.

Tom eventually moved near Lake Wisconsin where he met his wife, Sharon.   They settled in Lodi and raised their children Kimberly and Cory. During these family years, Tom was a busy man.  He shot trap in the Sauk Prairie area, acted in a local theater guild, and served on the Lodi Ambulance Committee.  He was employed by Olin at the Badger Army Ammunitions plant as a Material Control and Traffic Manager.  Tom and Sharon shared a loving marriage for 28 years. Sadly, Sharon passed in 1995.

After losing his wife, Tom moved from Lodi to the North Freedom area where he built a new home on the Baraboo River.   Although he had retired from Olin, he was recruited by Earth Tech to be a site manager for the Badger Army Ammunition remediation. It was during this time that he met Julaine, and they spent the next 29 years together sharing adventures, love, and laughter. They enjoyed Harley rides, cruising in the Mustang, traveling and spending time with family and friends. Tom became part of the "Meyer" family, who quickly fell in love with his kindness, sense of humor and joy of life. 

Those waiting for him in heaven include his parents, Maude and Raymond, wife Sharon, and brother James.  Those who will continue to honor his legacy are daughter Kimberly, son Cory, brother Don and his wife Karen, sister-in-law Joan, long-time partner Julaine, grandchildren Kaitlyn (Jonathon), Anna, Heidi, Ethan, Emma, great grandsons Ruger, Robert, Beau and many friends.

Tom enjoyed his life to the fullest.   He was a kind, thoughtful and loving man. Tom will be greatly missed and will live on forever in our hearts.

Funeral services for Thomas Bader will be conducted at 4:00 pm on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, with Chaplain Daniel Farber officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday from 1:00 pm until 3:45 pm. A Masonic Service will begin at 3:45 pm. Burial will take place at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Lodi. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Freedom Fire Department/EMS.