Raymond Curtis Mader, 55, of Russell, Kansas passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Curtis was born June 15, 1965 in Emporia, Kansas, one of four children born to Marvin Eugene and Vicky Sue (Landis) Mader. He grew up in Emporia until 1981 when his family moved to Russell and graduated from Russell High School.
Curtis was united in marriage to Kristine L Kreier on June 20, 1987 in Russell. This union was blessed with three daughters: ZoAnn, Hayle, and Emily. They made their home in Russell.
Curtis was known for many positions in the community, starting in the oil field with his family at MVRC Oil Operations. He went on to be a Department Head & Prototype Designer at ABCO Wire. Along with Kristy, he was owner and operator of Marvin’s Gardens Greenhouse & Landscaping of Russell. Most recently he held the position of Field Manager for Fossil Creek Energy. He also served as the Mayor of the City of Russell from 2013 to present. In his time away from work, he was a Charter Member and past President of the Russell VFW Men’s Auxiliary. Curtis never went a year without a garden & loved spending time outdoors fishing, hunting and relaxing in the pool. He spent many years mastering his skills & earning a black belt in Taekwondo. He was a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, KU Basketball and the Russell Broncos. His passion for bettering the Russell Community was never ending & he worked tirelessly to create lasting change that would benefit those long after his time.
Curtis’ surviving family include his wife of 33 years, Kristy of the home; daughters, ZoAnn Mader (Adam Carey) of Lindsborg, Kansas, Hayle Mader (fiancé Jackson Bjornstad) of Byrnesville, Missouri, and Emily Mader of the home; brother, Michael Mader (Brenda) of Topeka, Kansas; sisters, Robin Walters (Jon) of Katy, Texas and Cassie Karst (Kirk) of Russell, Kansas; mother-in-law, Arleene Kreier of Salina, Kansas; sister-in-law Patricia Kreier (Diane Branning) of Walton, Kansas; as well as nieces and nephews.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents Raymond & Helen Mader and Waldo & Billie Landis; father-in-law Rev. Robert Kreier; and brother-in-law David Kreier.
Celebration of Curtis’ Life will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday, January 25, 2021 and 9:00 AM to Noon on Tuesday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. A Memorial has been established with the Russell Pride – Downtown Park. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.