Eugene Trautman

Eugene P. Trautman, age 92, resident of Cooperstown, ND passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at the Griggs County Care Center in Cooperstown.

Gene was born to Jacob and Christine (Fisher) Trautman on March 1, 1921 on the family homestead near Goldwyn and Woodworth, ND. He was the youngest of ten children. He graduated from Medina High School in 1940 and worked at several different jobs in Medina and Jamestown. He married Ruth Norton in Fargo on November 28, 1941. They lived in Jamestown until 1956 when they purchased a photography studio in Cooperstown and moved there with their three children. Gene was one of the first school bus drivers in Griggs County. Gene was active in the N.D. Professional Photographers and was elected president for the year 1973 and was awarded a lifetime membership. He estimated that he and Ruth photographed close to 1000 weddings during their career. They retired in 1983 and spent winters in Arizona until 2003. Ruth passed away June 19, 2012.

Gene will be missed and remembered by his three children: Jan (Sheridan) Erickson and David (Truley) Trautman, both Cooperstown, and Larry (Cory) Trautman of Jamestown, 7 grandchildren, Shannon Erickson, Angela Cecil, Ryan (Cindy) Erickson, Craig (Jane) & Bryan Trautman, Trevor (Michelle) Trautman and Tracy Entzi, 11 great grandchildren, Seth & Alec Erickson, Chris (Brooke) Cecil & Cody Cecil, Harley & Dusty Erickson, Caleb & Conor Trautman, Jarin & Carson Entzi and Jenna Trautman, step great-granddaughter Sienna, sister-in-law, Barb Norton of Jamestown, and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, six sisters, Elizabeth Struxness, Ella Moen, Edith (Pauline) Rohrer, Leah Rohrer, Irene Pleinis and Kathryn Branning, three brothers, Edwin, Helmuth and Jacob (Jack).

Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 3:00PM in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Jamestown, ND. A celebration of life for Gene & Ruth will be held at a later date in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Cooperstown.