Eugene Forest Trask (2015)

TRASK, MEEKER, EYESTONE, FIERER, RADER, DAWSON

Posted By: Shirley Keating (email)
Date: 2/21/2015 at 18:47:32

McCalley Funeral Home
Winterset, Iowa

Gene Trask - Winterset 
Sept. 21, 1914 - Feb. 18, 2015

Eugene Forest (Gene) Trask of Winterset, Iowa, died Wednesday, February 18th, 2015. He was 100 years old. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23rd, at the First Christian Church in Winterset, with a military graveside service immediately following at the Winterset Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22nd, at First Christian Church, with family present from 4:00 to 6:00. Memorials maybe directed to the First Christian Church or Madison County Health Care System. 

Gene was born in Laredo, Missouri, on September 21st, 1914, to Leffel and Myrtle (Meeker) Trask. From that time on, his life was one of adventure and remarkable resilience. As a very young boy, he survived a serious bout of diphtheria. His father worked for the Milwaukee Road, and as a result of the Great Railroad Strike of 1922, was transferred to Washington, Iowa. The family followed him there, making the cold trek to the depot under heavy blankets in a horse and buggy. Gene and his sister Raymah grew up and attended school in Washington during the depression. Although times were tough and frugal, his school purchased a sousaphone and he learned to play it, going to State Contest and earning a "1" rating. He often said that brief time in band was the most fun he ever had in school.

After graduation in 1933, he attended Washington Junior College and completed their two-year program. Despite the illness of his youth, he played football in college and was an avid outdoorsman. Before the war he spent four years working as a lifeguard for the local YMCA. He loved to play tennis, and that is where he met his beloved wife, Evelyn Eyestone, on the local court in 1940. They dated until he entered the Army in 1942, and while he was on leave, they drove to Canton, Missouri to get married on February 10, 1943.

While stationed in St. Lo, France, his mortar unit was under constant attack. As he was helping someone who had just been injured, they were hit with a mortar shell that exploded and went through his left thigh. The same shell hit a nearby sergeant and killed him instantly. He could easily have bled to death, but he made it to a field hospital, and a Captain, Dr. Havel, stitched him up without anesthetic. Gene received a Purple Heart for his service in the Army.

After his injury, he recovered in England and New York. He was eventually reactivated, and served the rest of his duty as a training officer. In the interest of finding a career that would be good for sitting, due to his injured leg, a friend suggested that he become a jeweler. He and Evelyn moved to Amarillo, Texas, and he entered a program he'd heard about there, where he learned the art of watchmaking. Their son David was born there, and Nancy a couple of years later in Creston. He worked for Gunter Jewelry in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, for nine years. Eventually he wanted to start his own business, and he found a space on the southeast corner of the square in Winterset. The family moved here in 1956, and Gene was a well-known jeweler at Trask Jewelry until his retirement in 1988, having moved to his west side location in 1962. He was also an active member of First Christian Church. He loved to visit with the public and was never at a loss for stories!

In 1961 he joined the Winterset Fire Department. Technically, he was too old for it - they wouldn't bring new guys in if they were over 45, and he was 46. They gave him a special exception, and he ended up staying on for 30 years, becoming one of the longest serving firemen in the station's history.

He was also well-known for riding an old fashioned, high-wheel bicycle in parades, which he constructed himself. As a constant tinkerer, he was well equipped for this. He was primarily self-taught in metal and woodworking, and was always learning something new. The family remembers him frequently becoming deeply engrossed in learning a new topic until he became something of an expert on it, and then moving on to the next: minerals, birds, wildflowers, etc. He shared his thirst for knowledge and experiencing life with his family, always inviting them to join him in his adventures. He was a loving husband and father, was constantly supportive, and was also very proud of his grandchildren.

On his 100th birthday on September 21st, 2014, he enjoyed a great party with his family and recalled many moments of his life with a clear memory, giving credit to Dr. Havel for saving his life in the war.

Gene is survived by his son, David (Judy) Trask and daughter, Nancy Trask; four grandchildren, Julie (Alan) Feirer, Jeff (Jen) Trask, Austin Rader, and Ashleigh Rader; and four great-grandchildren: Jacob, Grady, and CJ Trask and Mara Feirer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leffel and Myrtle (Meeker) Trask; his sister, Raymah Dawson, and his wife, Evelyn (Eyestone) Trask. 

Gravestone Photo
 

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