Walter W. Trautman

Walter W Trautman, 89, Jamestown, ND, died Tuesday, August 3, 2010 at Eventide at Hi-Acres Nursing Center in Jamestown.

Mr. Trautman was born at home south of Cleveland, ND, on June 2, 1921, to William and Margaret (Gemar) Trautman. He grew up and attended country school south of Cleveland through the 8th grade after which the family moved to Olympia, WA, where he completed his secondary education. The family then returned to the farm south of Cleveland. Walter went on to college and completed his bachelor’s degree in agriculture at NDSU. After receiving his degree he was employed by the soil conservation service at Mandan, ND where he met his future wife, Dagny Evenrud. They were married on September 3, 1950 at Balfour, ND.

They returned to the farm south of Cleveland in 1954 where they raised five children. Walter farmed from 1954 until his retirement in 1989.

During his years on the farm, he was very involved in his community. He served as secretary of the elevator board for 25 years; he was the news letter editor for the National Farm Organization; and a school board member for 6 years. He was also heavily involved in the Cleveland United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, church board member, conference delegate, choir member, and sound system specialist. Walter’s priority has always been his family.

After the death of his beloved wife Dagny in 1990, Walter spent the next 11 years traveling to Florida to spend the winters with his daughter Melanie and her husband Phil. He took a different route each time so that he could visit each of the 49 states and their capitals.

He moved to the Heritage Center in Jamestown in 2001 where he lived until moving into Hi-Acres Manor in November 2009.

He is survived by his 5 children: Melanie (Phil) Cundiff in Jacksonville, FL; Annette (Dave) Kahly in Post Falls, ID; Gary Trautman in Colton, CA; Kevin (Sue) Trautman in Riverdale, ND; and Marla (Randy) Carman in Bismarck, ND, three brothers: Arnold (Loretta) in San Francisco, CA; Kenneth (Marilyn) in Cleveland, ND; and Paul in Jamestown, ND, one sister: Ruth Bondurant in Seattle, WA; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Billy and Elmer; and Dagny, his wife of 39 years.