Less than 5 feet tall and petite, Mitsue Bader was the strongest, fiercest, most resilient, and most loving human. Born January 21, 1924 in Hiroshima, Japan, she passed away peacefully on June 26, 2020 in Richardson, Texas. She experienced a long and accomplished life that held many difficult challenges but also tremendous joy and creativity.

Mitsue was an accomplished artist and writer and the most wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. Known in Dallas and in Japan for her expressive and beautiful Japanese tanka poetry, she was regularly published in the local Japanese newspaper, led regular meetings of the tanka poetry society in Dallas for many years, and published a cherished book with a collection of her poetry.

Although English was her second language, Mitsue was able to study and work her way through the ranks from pastry chef to manager at the Richardson West junior high school cafeteria where she managed a large staff. She was adored and loved by all of her employees as well as the teachers and students.

Mitsue enjoyed entertaining and cooking Japanese food for her family and many friends. She, along with her husband Bob Bader, were founding members of the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Plano. But perhaps most meaningful was her role as wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a fiercely loving and protective mother and grandmother and yet had her own vulnerabilities that inspired protectiveness from those around her.

Mitsue was predeceased by her beloved and devoted husband Bob Bader. She is survived by her daughter Joyce, son-in-law Hugh, and grandchildren Katrina and Will Rogers. She had an indelible influence upon all of us. We will miss her, our energizer bunny, immensely, and we will carry her within our hearts forever. Mitsue most definitely and without a doubt fought the good fight until the very end.

A virtual memorial service will be held for family and close friends at a later date. To honor her memory in the meantime, be kind to one another, and please appreciate the beauty of flowers, the enchantment of clouds, and the ever changing sky, which she treasured.