Fred Elmer TRAGER

TRAGER, GROEN, BARTH, MATTHEWS, BSXTER, MCMANNUS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/29/2006 at 19:10:04

Fred Trager, 91, Latimer, died February 1, 2006 at the Franklin General nursing facility in Hampton. Services were held February 6 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Latimer with Pastor John Byrne officiating. Burial was in Marion Center Cemetery.
Fred Elmer was born March 12, 1914 near Belmond to Emil and Tena (Groen) Trager. He was baptized at Immanuel Reformed near Belmond. Fred attended rural schools near Belmond and farmed with his father for several years. On June 9, 1938 he married Mildred R. Barth at the Marion Center Evangelical parsonage with Rev. C.J. Barth, Mildred's father, presiding. They farmed near Alexander for over 57 years. They were always generous. An example came to light about three years ago when Hans Gaensler, a child in Germany following WWII, located them via the Internet to thank them for their gifts of food and clothing sent during difficult years after the war. They sent cards and food during sad times, fresh garden produce during the summer, and Christmas cookies.
During retirement Fred and Mildred enjoyed some traveling, often to Phoenix. They were frequently seen at community events, little league games, card parties, celebrations, and visiting the sick, elderly, and shut-in. Fred was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ, having served as a deacon, elder, and member of church council. In recent years he took care of his wife prior to her death. He lived at Franklin General the past two years.

Fred was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brothers August, Henry, Carl and Elmer sister Henrietta Kaduce; and one great grandchild. Fred is survived by children Robert Lee (Nancy) Trager of Hampton, Rosemary Elaine Matthews of Emmetsburg, and Vergene Herbert Trager of Phoenix; grandchildren Jill Trager, Eric (Penny) Trager, Sarah (Thomas) Grable, Melvin Matthews, and Sarah Baxter; ten great-grandchildren; sister Irene McMannus of Belmond; and sisters-in-law Bertha Trager of Meservey and Faye Trager of Rowan.

©Belmond Independent 2006
February 7, 2006