Remebering Dorothy “Gail” Rader

Dorothy “Gail” (McLain) Rader passed away on Monday October 10th, 2022, at the age of 85 of natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital. Gail was born on January 21st, 1937, to Joseph Donald and Dorothy Elizabeth McLain and was the eldest of two daughters, Gwen Anderson being the younger sister. Born and raised in Havre, she attended Havre High School and later became a graduate of the University of Montana and a graduate degree in psychology from MSU-Northern.

Gail and her husband Dr. William Rader, have championed numerous causes at MSU-Northern and the Havre community. Gail served for many years on the MSU-Northern Foundation Board of Directors. During her time there, she worked very hard to provide scholarship opportunities for MSU-Northern students and making a difference in the lives of countless young people.

Likewise, her work at both the state and local level of P.E.O. International, provided many opportunities for even more MSU-Northern students. Both she and Dr. Rader were active in all aspects of the Havre-Hill County Library, believing deeply in the power of literacy. Additionally, Gail has served on the Adult Literacy Board, worked as a tutor and is a past president of the PTA.

Gail also served her community on the Chamber of Commerce, the Hill County Bicentennial Commission, the Northern Montana Hospital Board of Directors, numerous real estate professional associations and the Havre/Hi-Line Community Concert Association. Most recently Gail received the MSU-Northern Founders’ Excellence Award for her unwavering commitment to the students and faculty. In 1979, Gail was inducted into Chapter V of The P.E.O. Sisterhood and later served as the chapter’s president twice and then as the Montana P.E.O. State President. She was a self-proclaimed “PEO convention junkie” and attended many of the annual conventions. Gail was also a mentor for new members and could answer any question about anything P.E.O.

Furthermore, Gail earned the Order of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America and was active in Troop 431, while guiding her two Eagle Scout sons. Along with Troop 431, she petitioned the state scouting officials to become the state’s first female Scout Master, that effort was unsuccessful. This did help pave the way for female Scout Master’s today, which is the case with her Grandson’s troop in San Francisco. She remained active and held numerous positions with the Havre Jaycee’s, the Hill County Republican Central Committee, the North Central Pachyderm Club, and the Havre Mainstreet Downtown Revitalization Committee.