Gerald Warren Schrader, 85, of Green Bay, passed away Sunday, April 6th, 2025. He was born on September 13, 1939, in Green Bay to Gerald F. and Wilma (Warren) Schrader.

Gerald graduated as a salutatorian from Premontre High School in 1957. He had a keen aptitude for learning and earned a full scholarship to St. Norbert College where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.

He was a member of the ROTC throughout high school and college. After graduating college in 1961, he entered the military and was assigned to artillery missile defense training in El Paso, Texas. He was then sent to McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He served active duty for 2 ½ years during the Berlin Blockade, Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the early stages of the Vietnam War.

Beginning in 1964, he was employed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Real Estate Division, where he remained for 35 years. As manager, his ability to think creatively led to innovations in the way the state oversaw land requisitions. He also held the position of President of the International Right of Way Association.

He married in 1965 and raised three daughters, Kim, Karen, and Kristin. During summer months they would spend weekends at the Schrader family college on the Bay, and later, on Lake Nocquebay in Crivitz. The family would ski, play games, and grill out. Gerald loved being on the water which led to a hobby of sailing. There would be vacations to Milwaukee, tubing in Waupaca, and trips to Disney World.

Gerald loved the arts. He was a long time Weidner Center season ticket holder where he enjoyed a multitude of musicals and concerts. He also enjoyed art fairs in search of the perfect original piece of artwork to decorate his home. Music played a key role in Gerald's life. He played the saxophone in his younger days which led to him and his friends forming a band to play local gigs. He often talked about the birth of rock and roll and how music shaped the times he lived in. He would speak passionately about the songs that moved him and their meanings. He enjoyed discovering new artists and continued to attend concerts into his eighties. He passed his love of music onto his children and grandchildren.

Nothing brought more joy to him than time spent with his grandchildren. He enjoyed hearing about their lives, their interests, and often expressed how proud he was of them.

Gerald is survived by daughters Kim (Corey) Gee, Karen Schrader, and Kristin (Nathan) Moore; grandchildren Raina Severson, Logan Severson, and Kaitlynn Moore; brothers Jim (Ann) Schrader, Dan (Geraldine) Schrader, Mark Schrader, Pat (Tracy) Schrader; Jerry's special friend, Brandy Stratton; and many nieces and nephews.

Gerald was preceded in death by parents Gerald and Wilma Schrader; sister-in-law Sallyrae Schrader; nephew Don Schrader.

Friends and family will gather at Blaney Funeral Home, 1521 Shawano Ave., from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, April 12; Service to follow at 12:00 PM (NOON). Entombment will be at Fort Howard Memorial Park. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

A special thank you to Cindy from the Meyer Theater for always getting Jerry the best seats in the house.