White Funeral Home
1315 Main Street
Jesup, Iowa 50648

JESUP - Joseph Lee Bader, 25, of rural Jesup, Iowa, went home to Jesus on Friday, December 13, 2024, surrounded by his family at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. – Friday, December 20, 2024, at St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Jesup, with burial in the church cemetery.

Visitation will also be at St. Athanasius Church on Thursday, December 19, 2024, beginning with a parish rosary at 4:00 p.m. There will also be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue for an hour before services Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to North Star Community Services in Waterloo, IA; Camp Courageous of Iowa in Monticello, IA; Iowa Right to Life Foundation; and to St. Athanasius Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be posted at www.White-MtHope.com

Joe was born January 10, 1999, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of Lee and Debra (Fischels) Bader. He attended Jesup Community School, where he became fast friends with teachers, staff, bus drivers, and students. After graduating from Jesup, Joe attended North Star Community Services in Waterloo, where he enjoyed the daily activities and special friendships with staff and other attendees.

Joe's family will never forget and will forever be grateful for the friendship and loving care bestowed upon Joe by the wonderful people who came into his life.

Everyone who knew Joe witnessed his special gift: bringing out the best in people. He taught us to do the most good with our abilities, praise God for the gifts we're given, seek out those who could use our help, and love unconditionally.

Joe enjoyed music and spending time with his family during camping trips, vacations, baseball games, and other outings. Joe’s unique ability to connect with people opened doors and created memorable experiences for the entire family over the years, like an interview on the Good Morning America show, special access at the original Yankee Stadium, and extra blessings at the National Catholic Youth Conference.

Joe especially enjoyed being with his brothers, sister, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, five nieces, and four nephews, who all showed him tremendous love and respect.
Joe will truly be missed by his family. Life won't be the same without his smile, laughter, and ability to bring joyful noise to any situation. But he is in heaven now. His work on Earth is done.

Joseph Bader is survived by his parents, Lee and Debra Bader of Jesup; three brothers, Zach (Ashley) Bader of Urbandale, IA, Ben (Anna) Bader of Jesup, Luke Bader of Jesup and his friend Sheila Harting of Waterloo, IA; one sister, Jessica (Brock) Reiter of Ankeny, IA; also his nieces and nephews, Rowyn, Caius, and Gemma Bader; Molly, Leah, and Maddie Bader; Andrew, Henry, and Jack Reiter.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Curtis and Marie Bader; and his maternal grandparents, Joseph and Rosemary Fischels; also his cousin, Amber Fischels.

White Funeral Home, Jesup, IA, is in charge of the arrangements.