CARBONDALE — April Dawn Strader, 47, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, with loving daughter Olive and dear friends in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
April was born April 28, 1970, in Simi Valley, California, the daughter of Michael Gary and Margaret Anne (Withington) Strader.
She is survived by her daughter, Olive Michele LaRose of Illinois; mother, Margaret Anne Strader of California; sister, Annelise Mignon Strader of California; dear friends, Kimberly, Dawn, Jim, Peter, Anne and so many more friends and colleagues.
She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Strader; and her beloved older sister, Margaret Michele Strader.April worked at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine as an associate professor in the department of physiology. Her academic research was focused on the exploration of surgical models for obesity and the improvement of type II diabetes. April was a talented artist in the areas of painting and photography as well as an animal enthusiast, rescuing many sick, injured, and abandoned creatures. She was a devoted mother to Olive LaRose (age 9). By her own example April encouraged Olive to be creative and tenacious. They spent many hours together traveling to and from gymnastics events as well as exploring the natural wonders of Southern Illinois. An outdoor memorial celebration will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Walkers Bluff Winery. Memorials may be made to the Olive LaRose Trust, P.O. Box 2101 Carbondale, IL 62902Walker Funeral Home and Crematory of Carbondale is entrusted with arrangements. To leave condolences, email walkers2009@live.com or visit walkerfuneralhomesandcrematory.com.
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